Carey Price: Saying Farewell to a Canadiens Legend

Often, in the world of professional sports, loyalty and dedication seem hard to find. However, Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price embodies both these qualities to the fullest. In his own mind, although a native of British Columbia, he was fortunate to have spent his entire career in the iconic Canadiens red, white, and blue jersey. 

Price was not just a great NHL goalie; he is already a hockey legend. And, on top of that, he’s a symbol of what a true Canadiens’ hero looks like. 

Price Seems Pretty Clear That His NHL Career Is Over

In a Sportsnet interview, it would seem that there’s only one way to interpret Price’s comments. He’s come to believe that he likely won’t be able to play a full NHL season again. It’s the knee. 

In everyday life, fortunately, he’s pretty good. In that, for now, he’s been blessed. He even acknowledges that some days he feels good enough that he thinks he might even be able to take part in training camp. However, when he subjects his body to the demands of hockey action, he soon learns that it won’t hold up. He can’t go an entire season. 

After workouts, Price experiences significant swelling in his knee. And, until that subsides, if it ever does, it’s a clear indication that he’s not ready to handle the rigorous day-to-day workload of a regular NHL goalie. He admits it. At the moment, his knee will not allow him to perform. And, because that’s true, returning to full-time NHL play will not be feasible for him. 

Now, his focus has shifted. Instead of preparing for the physical grind of another season, Price will now focus on rehabilitating his knee to the point where he can live a normal non-hockey-related life. If there ever were hope in Montreal that Price might be able to return to the NHL, recent reports suggest that won’t happen this season – and probably not ever.

In this post, because I am a huge fan of Price, I want to share his history, some of his career highlights, and why he was one of the best goalies in the history of the NHL.

How Price Became a Canadiens’ Goalie

Price became a Canadiens player when he was selected by the team in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Even at that time, Price was highly regarded as a goaltending prospect and was reputed to have both exceptional skills and composure in the crease.

The Canadiens’ decision to draft Price proved to be a key moment in the team’s history. He went on to become one of the franchise’s most successful players. Making his debut during the 2007-08 NHL season, he quickly lodged himself into the team’s starting goalie spot. Over the seasons, he’s not only held that spot but he and the Canadiens’ organization are often spoken of in the same breath.

Price has been a great Canadiens player, earning multiple honors and setting multiple records during his career.

Why Was Price Such a Great Goalie?

With good reason, Price is considered one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of the game. A combination of factors has contributed to his excellence in the net.

First, he had exceptional technical skills. Price perfected the goaltending fundamentals. He had superior positioning, quick reflexes, and the ability to precisely track the puck. He squared up shooters and can maintain proper angles, which reduced scoring opposition chances.

Second, Price was an outstanding athlete. He combined agility, flexibility, and athleticism. He was often able to make acrobatic saves if he needed to. He was agile enough to move laterally across the crease quickly, which helped him cover the net effectively.

Third, he was mentally tough. One of Price’s defining traits was his mental resilience. He was always calm under pressure, maintained his focus, and exhibited composure even when the stakes were the highest. His mental toughness helped him perform consistently well, even in tough playoff situations.

Fourth, Price was an excellent puck handler. His ability to handle the puck effectively made him a third defenseman for his team. He made precise passes and was able to consistently make smart decisions when playing the puck. These attributes contributed to the Canadiens’ defensive strategy and helped the team generate quick breakouts.

Fifth, he had great vision and anticipation. Price had a high hockey IQ, which allowed him to read the game and anticipate plays effectively. He anticipated shots, passes, and deflections. And, time after time, he put himself in the right position to make a crucial save.

Sixth, he had a solid work ethic and prepared well for each game of the season. Price was simply dedicated to his craft. He engaged, when he was able, in a rigorous training regimen and meticulously prepared before games. This dedication to preparing contributed to his consistency and success.

Seventh, Price was a team player. His mentality was team-first. For him, being a good goalie was more than about stopping shots. He also believed it was crucial to support teammates. He was willing to do whatever it took to help the team win, both on and off the ice.

Eighth, Price grew more experienced and adaptable. Over the 15 seasons he played, he collected a wealth of experience in different game situations. He was able to adapt to changes in the NHL’s style of play and the tactics of opposing teams. He also was able to remain effective as the game evolved.

In short, Price’s greatness as a goalie came from a combination of technical excellence, mental toughness, athleticism, and hard work. These, taken together, allowed him to consistently perform at a high level in all game situations. With his success, his legacy as one of the all-time greats in the world of hockey has grown.

3 Highlights of Price’s Career

Price’s career in Montreal was filled with many highlights. However, as I’ve looked at them, three stand out. 

Highlight 1: Price’s Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy Wins (2014-2015)

During the 2014-2015 NHL season, Price was amazing. His play earned him both the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player and the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender.

Highlight 2: Price Led Team Canada to the 2014 Olympic Gold Medal in Sochi

Price represented Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. His stellar play was key in leading Canada to a gold-medal win. He posted two shutouts during the tournament and was named the tournament’s best goaltender. 

Highlight 3: Canadiens’ Surprising 2021 Stanley Cup Final Run 

Price’s incredible play in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs might have been the highlight of his Canadiens career. After what was a so-so season, the Canadiens were admitted to the postseason. His great play helped his underdog team go on a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final.

While the team ultimately fell short in the series, Price almost carried them home. His leadership and composure under pressure were key factors in the Habs’ deep playoff run.

Price Is Longer a Canadien

Although Price’s impact in Montreal has reached the status of iconic, he was willing to end his career with another team if that would help the Canadiens succeed in the short term. He was clearly proud of being a Canadien during his career; yet, he gets that hockey is a business. Given the team’s financial considerations and salary-cap management, he realized that it might be wise for the Canadiens to “sell” his contract to another organization. Similarly, the team traded Shea Weber to the Vegas Golden Knights in June 2022. That came to fruition in Sep. 2025 when the Canadiens shipped his contract to the San Jose Sharks.

Price’s selfless attitude remained reflected in his team-first mentality. As he noted, “I’m willing to help this team in any aspect … If they have to move money to make this team better, I’m here to help in any way I can.”

This admission also suggests that Price’s willingness to help his Canadiens remains even if he never takes the ice again. Even off the ice, he not only remains a goalie legend but also a team leader. 

Price will rightly be remembered as one of the best players the Canadiens have ever had. Sadly for fans, he’s moving from on-ice hero to goalie legend and proud ambassador for the team.