There are a lot of things that are unclear these days at the Bell Center, and Carey Price’s future is way up on that list.
Posted at 11:38 a.m.
The famous goalkeeper spoke Saturday morning in Brossard, day of assessment in the camp of the Canadian, and he admitted that the state of his knee remains a source of concern.
“I feel good, and it was nice to be able to get the win (Friday night at the Bell Centre), he began by saying. But I have to ask questions and I will have to prepare for medical appointments this summer. »
It’s no secret that Price obviously hasn’t recovered from the knee injury that has plagued him since his surgery last July in New York.
The biggest problem is this persistent swelling, which won’t go away and keeps slowing it down. Price attempted his comeback on April 15, but had to take a break after his fourth game of the year last Saturday before returning for the final game of the season Friday night at the Bell Centre.
For this reason, he admitted that another operation could be considered in the coming weeks. “It’s a possibility,” he said.
For now, the Price case is proving to be a huge challenge in the eyes of Montreal management. Kent Hughes has also admitted that it is very difficult to predict for the next season as long as the status of the star goalkeeper is not clarified.
“I don’t think we can answer questions about his future right now,” explained the Montreal GM on Saturday morning. We are still in a gray area with him, it is not black or white. We hope to be able to obtain more information in his case, but we are not there yet… It is sure that it complicates things, if it were clearer, it would be much easier for us, but such is the situation. »
What seems more obvious, however, is that the goalkeeper at number 31 is going to play here next season…or not play at all. For him, the idea of moving and joining a formation that would aspire to the zenith is not one of his objectives.
“It never crossed my mind to play elsewhere… But I’m here, it’s part of my identity, and the future is so bright with this team. I think young people bring energy to this training and I hope to be part of it. »
But to be part of the sequel, and to know it too, Carey Price knows very well that the condition of his knee will have to improve.
“I don’t think it’s possible to play 55 or 60 games with my knee in its current state,” he admitted. So I still have some questions to ask the medical staff, but luckily I have plenty of time this summer to prepare. »
Price’s teammates, first those who have known him for a long time, have all expressed the wish to see him again in the best possible way: in front of his net.
“It was difficult sometimes to see what he had to go through during the season, explained Brendan Gallagher. But I was able to spend 10 years in his company and I hope to be able to spend even more with him. He always finds a way to impress us… You can never count him out. »
While waiting for the questions that will follow, and probably also the answers, Carey Price will think back to Friday night’s game… wondering if it was his last.
“If this is the end, it was a nice way to end…but I’m a fighter and I won’t give up. »