Montreal Canadiens superstar goaltender Carey Price wanted fans to know that he was “doing well” in his first address to the media since training camp on Sunday.
Price, 34, has been out of action since off-season knee surgery, and he missed a month of training after he voluntarily entered the NHL’s player assistance program in early October. He has yet to play a game since leading the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final last summer against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“It was very difficult,” Price said about his decision to seek assistance in the off-season. “I was in a position where I definitely needed to reach out. It was a trying time, for sure, but at the end of the day, it was one that I knew that had to be made and ultimately it was one that was successful, and I’m very thankful for the help that I got.”
Price didn’t specify as to why he sought assistance – “I just want to say I’m doing well” – and instead focused on getting his rehabbed knee back in good enough shape to play again for le bleu, blanc et rouge.
“It’s a big part of my identity … being a goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens has been my life for over a decade,” said Price. “I just want to be able to get back in there and just continue playing. And to be able to put that sweater on again is something that is keeping me motivated at this point.”
Price added, when asked if he had considered asking to be traded, given the team’s current woeful state, that “this is our home. … As of right now, I have no plans to move anywhere.” He said he was “tremendously grateful” for the support of the fans, the organization, his teammates and his family.
His goal still remains to play again this season, even though he said he’s had a couple of “setbacks” on the road to recovery.
“It’s definitely an objective for me this season. It’s always been my goal ever since I got back here,” said Price, who skated in full equipment at practice on Saturday for the first time since Dec. 16. He added that he’s “anxious” about the next couple of weeks, and if he had more setbacks with his knee, “I’m just going to start over again.”
The Canadiens have struggled this season without superstar netminder Price and stalwart defenceman Shea Weber, and are currently last overall in the NHL with an 8-23-7 record. Their tumultuous season includes the firing on Nov. 28 of long-time general manager Marc Bergevin, and several man-games lost due to injury and COVID-19 protocol. Vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton was hired the same day Bergevin was fired; Bergevin was replaced on Jan. 18 by former player agent Kent Hughes.
