Why “barring a miracle” Carey Price won’t make a return to the NHL – Montreal
Canadiens star goaltender Carey Price was back in Montreal, confirming what many already suspected: the knee injury that kept him sidelined last season will likely keep him out of the NHL forever.
With the new season just weeks away, Price is adjusting to a different lifestyle.
The 36-year-old is spending a lot more time in nature and off the ice, even though he’s feeling much better following his knee injury.
“I come here towards the start of training camp and I feel like I could still go out there and wreak havoc,” Price said.
But his knee still bothers him, causing swelling for weeks if he does strenuous physical activity.
So he will probably stay off the ice.
“Barring a miracle,” Price said.
Price is expected to attend Canadiens training camp as he still has three seasons remaining on his multi-million dollar contract.
But there won’t be much to play for. He mainly consults doctors.
The legendary goaltender signed an eight-year contract worth $84 million with the Habs in 2017.
Not being able to perform means a huge financial burden on the team and Price isn’t ruling out a potential trade to ease pressure on the team’s salary cap.
“No matter what the team has to do, if they have to move money to make this team better, I’m here to help them in any way I can,” Price said, adding that he will always be a proud Montreal Canadiens.
Life off the ice means Price is taking on new roles, such as amba*sador for CFMOTO, a company that manufactures recreational sports vehicles in Quebec.
Price co-designed a Carey Price limited edition of his UFORCE 600 side-by-side utility vehicle, featuring the player’s number 31 and his autograph.
Asked what he would do with the vehicle, Price – who left Montreal this summer and now lives in Kelowna, B.C., on a lot – replied, “fun stuff,” while laughing in a shy way.
More seriously, Price says that in the future, he sees himself working for the blue white red.
He is already mentoring the younger generation.
“I like talking to young players,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how little I begin to have in common with them.”
Price plans to attend the season opener in October.
“I’m going to be a Montreal Canadiens superfan now,” he said.
The superfan says he will also dedicate himself to being a family man.
He wants to see his three children grow up.
“Now I have three little coaches telling me what to do,” Price said.
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