Carey Price: Returning to Canadiens crease 'something that is keeping me motivated'

Despite being sidelined all season for a team that has struggled immensely, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price still hopes to return at some point before the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Price, 34, proved to the world during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs that he is in fact still a world-class goaltender, leading the Habs all the way to the Cup Final. Unfortunately, he has not been able to build off of that success, as he has yet to appear in the 2021-22 season.

Prior to the season beginning, it was announced that Price had voluntarily entered the NHL’s player assistance program. Though he has since finished the program, the B.C. native has still been unable to play due to a knee injury that required surgery this summer. On Sunday, the veteran netminder spoke to the media about what his future holds, including the possibility that this knee injury could potentially be career threatening.

“Listen, you never know,” said Price. “There’s always a possibility. There’s a lot going on over the next couple of weeks that will determine the rest of my season. So, I’m obviously anxious myself to find out some answers. I don’t have them right now. But we’ll find out soon enough.”

Despite the uncertainty of his remarks, Price seemed quite positive that he will recover from his injury. He also spoke about rumours regarding his future as a Hab, as some believe his permanence with the team is up in the air. From the sounds of things, however, Price isn’t interested in waiving his no-movement clause.

“Being a goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens has been my life for over a decade,” Price told reporters. “Ending the season on such a disappointing note last year, I just want to get back in there and continue playing. And to be able to put that sweater on again is something that is keeping me motivated at this point.”

The Canadiens have been a disaster this season, a big part of which is related to Price being unable to suit up. Through 43 games, they own a league-worst 8-28-7 record, and have allowed the most goals of any team with 166. All of their goaltenders in Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault, and Cayden Primeau have struggled this season, making Price’s absence all the more frustrating for both the organization and its fans.

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