Montreal Canadiens: Five Players That Need To Go

There is literally only one reason why Carey Price would make this list.

Distraction.

I’m not going to go into the salary category. We’ve covered that ad nauseum. The issue is that there needs to come a time where the Canadiens need to plan the future without Price between the pipes, and that time is now.

Jake Allen is committed to remaining in Montreal despite what any rumor might tell you, and Samuel Montembeault deserves a new contract as the team’s backup goaltender. Getting a 60-40 split in starts between Allen and Montembeault is definitely a viable option.

Cayden Primeau has shown that he isn’t NHL ready and still struggles in the AHL. Kevin Poulin will continue to be a fringe AHL starter while the likes of Joe Vrbetic, Jakub Dobes and Frederik Dichow are still nowhere near ready to see NHL minutes, at least not for another season or two at the very minimum.

We can’t have another season of “will he play or not?” involving Price. It’s exhausting for everyone wondering day in and day out if your supposed number one goaltender will play or not. Now with his recent vague comments in which he doesn’t seem sure himself if he can play at an elite level anymore, I think it’s safe to say that Price needs to pull a Weber and hang them up.

He may have not gotten that Stanley Cup, but Price gave Canadiens and hockey fans in general many moments to remember. He can retire with his head held high and let this new generation of players take over the spotlight.

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