Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price could potentially miss all of next season.
Canadian general manager Kent Hughes said the goalkeeper would miss at least the start of the next campaign. He added that the worst-case scenario was also possible, as Price’s rehabilitation following knee surgery last summer continued to be problematic.
“The news about Carey Price’s knee is disheartening. I don’t know if there’s a road to recovery for him this season,” he said Thursday night after acquiring Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan.
“I think if Carey is going to come back to play, he’s going to need surgery,” Hughes added.
The Canadian goaltender’s name will be on the long-term injured list. Hughes said he plans to start the season with a combination of Jake Allen and Samuel Montembault in goal.
If Price were to announce his retirement from hockey, he would finish his career at the top of all the guards in the history of the Canadiens in terms of games played (712) and wins (361).
Last season Price returned to action on April 15 against the New York Islanders after missing the first 74 games of the 2021-22 season due to offseason knee surgery.
The 35-year-old veteran also entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program on October 7, 2021 and subsequently joined the team in November. His rehabilitation was also interrupted by COVID-19.
Upon his return to the game, Price was plagued with inflammation in his knee, which limits him when trying to perform certain movements.
A native of Anahim Lake, B.C., Price ended up playing just five games in 2021-22, earning his lone win in the final game of the season, against the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre.
Prior to his return in April 2022, Price had not played since Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, against the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 7, 2021.