The Montreal Canadiens may pursue forward additions following โthe expected tradeโฃ of goaltender Carey โPrice, according to a report โคby The โขHockey Writers. Price, who has been sidelinedโฃ due โคto chronic knee โissues, is widely โฃanticipatedโ to be placed โonโข long-term injured reserve and later traded โขto facilitate cap relief for the Canadiens.
This move, while toughโค given Price’s storied tenureโข with the institution, opens up approximately $3.5 million in โฃcap space,โค providing generalโ manager Kent Hughes with increased financial versatility. The Canadiens,โค currently undergoing a rebuild,โฃ couldโ utilize โฃthese funds to address needs at โforward, potentiallyโ acquiring a player who aligns with theirโ developingโ core. Hughes has previouslyโ indicated a willingness toโ explore all avenues to improve the team’s offensive depth, and Price’s trade would empower โฃhim to do so.
price’s โขcontract carries an annual average value of $10.5 million through โthe 2025-26โฃ season.While hisโ health hasโฃ prevented himโ from playingโ since โ2021-22, his impactโข on the โฃCanadiens and theโ cityโค of Montreal remains significant.The team has not confirmed โanyโข trade plans as of today, but the expectation โคwithin league circles is thatโ a deal will โmaterialize in the โคcoming weeks.
The Canadiens’ forward groupโข currently features young players like Nick Suzuki, Cole caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky. โคAdding a veteran presence or a skilled winger could accelerate their growth and bolster the team’s scoring potential. Hughes has โdemonstratedโข a patient approach to the rebuild, โprioritizing asset acquisition and long-term sustainability. A strategic addition at forward, enabled by Price’s trade, would represent a โcontinuation of that strategy.