Carey Price delivers bleak update on injury, NHL return: 'Just not going to happen'
Price said his knee has been feeling okay on a day-to-day basis, but manning an NHL crease anytime soon — or ever again — seems like a long shot.
Carey Price says his knee isn't anywhere close to where it needs to be to return to the NHL.
Price spoke to assembled media after a news conference in Brossard Que., Tuesday where he was announced as a new brand ambassador for CF Moto Canada’s new line of ATVs. Price, one of the most heralded goaltenders of the past decade-plus, told reporters that while the effects of his knee injury have subsided on a day-to-day basis, he’s nowhere near capable of manning an NHL crease again.
“When I do certain things on a consistent basis, it’s a very solid reminder that my knee’s not in a position to take the brunt of a full season's workload,” Price said.
"I still get a tremendous amount of swelling in it. For short periods of time, I can do things that are strenuous but the honest (truth) is right now, it’s just not going to happen. To take the stress of the goaltending position — it’s not where it needs to be.”
#Habs Carey Price provides an update on the current state of his knee ⤵ pic.twitter.com/PaDBN8HEsA
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) September 12, 2023
Price’s knee injury first came to light after he underwent surgery following the 2020-21 season — where Price led the Canadiens to an improbable Stanley Cup Final berth after recording a .924 save percentage in 22 playoff contests.
Price’s recovery has featured several setbacks as he’s only played in five games since his attempted comeback, all of which came during the 2021-22 season. Price’s resilience that season, with both his knee rehab and personal recovery after entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in the fall of 2021, was highlighted when he won the Masterson Trophy in 2022.
Ahead of the 2022-23 season, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes told reporters that if Price were to ever return, he’d need additional surgery.
The 36-year-old has three years remaining on his contract, which carries a $10.5-million dollar cap hit — the highest among NHL goaltenders. Like last season, Montreal is permitted to place his contract on Long-Term Injured Reserve.
Price’s pedigree makes him a shoo-in, first-ballot hall-of-famer, once he’s eligible. In 682 career games, Price posted a .917 save percentage and collected plenty of hardware on top of that Masterson — winning a Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and a William M. Jennings to boot.
