Could Carey Price sit out the remainder of the season? One insider thinks it's possible

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has missed the entire 2021-22 season thus far after entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and due to recovery from his knee surgery he had last summer.

There still isn't a timeline on when Price may return to the crease in Montreal but with the Canadiens having such a poor season, one that may see them end up with the first overall pick and NHLers not going to the 2022 Winter Olympics, could we see him sit out the rest of the season? Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman thinks it's possible and it's a discussion that need to happen between Price and the Canadiens very soon.

"The Olympics are out of the question now so what happens with Price?" Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast. "Now that the Olympics are out there's two ways this can go: Number one he can say, you know what, there's no Olympics this year, this team is not playing for anything, I'm going to take the rest of the year off to get healthy physically and mentally and I'll see you all next September."

During Monday's podcast, Friedman also mentioned that the Canadiens may sit down with Brendan Gallagher and give him the option on if he wants to be traded or not. Friedman is now curious if Montreal would do that with Carey Price.

"Would that ever happen with Price?" Friedman wondered. "Would the Canadiens and Price say well maybe another team might want you, but the only way that could work is if you get healthy and play some games this year so other teams can see that you're alright. I think at some point that conversation is going to have to happen."

Price, 34, is under contract until after the 2025-26 season and is making $10.5 million per season. If he becomes available, there will certainly be a market for him with teams like the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers among potential suitors.

Source: Sportsnet.

MUST READ

3 minutes ago  |  By Skyler Walker Rod Brind'Amour at center of tense Senators handshake line incident after playoff battle

40 minutes ago  |  By Skyler Walker Nikita Kucherov injury update: what two sources just confirmed

8 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Medical update emerges after Nils Lundkvist’s scary skate injury

9 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Bryan Rust caught making one of hockey’s most frowned-upon moves on Porter Martone

10 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Glen Gulutzan delivers update after Nils Lundkvist suffers deep facial cut

11 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin A familiar coaching name is suddenly impossible for Senators fans to ignore

12 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Travis Green fires back at reporter over Brady Tkachuk question

12 hours ago  |  By Vincent Carbonneau Josh Anderson sends message after snubbing Scott Sabourin and it’s getting attention

MORE STORIES