Carey Price is known for his legendary composure and composure. On Monday, the star goaltender broke with his habits and admitted he still hadn’t digested the loss in five games against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals last summer.
Price opened up to the media for a rare time and shared his state of mind over the past few months, Monday, after the Montreal Canadiens practice at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.
“I thought a lot, both from a personal and professional point of view. It was very difficult times, but in the end, it was a very positive experience, because I was able to overcome several obstacles, ”said the 34-year-old veteran first.
“But even today, I find it difficult to explain how we were able to pass so close [de gagner la Coupe Stanley]. It will probably take several years to get there, unless we get another opportunity next year. I haven’t had this kind of occasion for 14 years, then we passed so close before finding ourselves so far away; it’s something that still torments me. I really feel like I’ve let the chance of a lifetime slip away, ”he continued, without raising his voice.
The holder of the Vézina Trophy awarded to the NHL’s goaltender par excellence in 2015 nevertheless hopes that he still has a few good seasons ahead of him.
“Actually, I hope they all are,” Price said at first with a laugh.
“I would like to be able to offer an acceptable level of play by the end of my career. I don’t know for how long I can do it, but I want to be able to say that I left the NHL when my level of play was still very good and I was not a burden on my team. he confided.
One thing is certain, forward Nick Suzuki doesn’t feel like Price is hurting the team. Far from there.
“It’s good to have him with us. Every time he’s in net, he obviously offers an acceptable level of play. He is the best [gardien] of the league. His presence, his way of handling the puck and his composure in front of the net are essential for us,” said the 22-year-old Ontarian.
Interim head coach Martin St-Louis appreciates the stability Price brings when he’s around the team.
“He is very calm. He is a leader in the way he behaves. And it has a big impact on the guys around him. I liked our game against the Islanders [de New York]and I think Carey had his say in that, on the way the guys played in front of him, ”said the Quebecer.
Price received a text from Crosby
Price also reflected on his first start of the season, which came last Friday in a 3-0 loss to the Islanders at the Bell Centre. The principal concerned assured that his knee had held up, and that he did not feel any pain.
“It’s going quite well. It was good to get back to the action. Even when I was at the end of the bench [samedi contre les Capitals de Washington], it was good to be at the level of the ice rink. I had a good training and I will be ready for tomorrow [mardi] said the goaltender from Anahim Lake, British Columbia, without specifying how many starts he would get by the end of the campaign.
The 2014 Sochi Olympics gold medalist also said he received messages of encouragement from many former NHL teammates and players after returning to the game.
« “Pleky” [Tomas Plekanec] contacted me to tell me that he was very happy to see me back on the ice. I told him “thank you”. “Sid” [Sidney Crosby] also texted me. It was pleasant and surprising. Actually, it wasn’t really surprising, but I was glad to get his message,” Price continued.
Admittedly, there are only six games left in the Habs’ season. But number 31 won’t have to look far to find inspiration to pursue his career for a while longer.
Marc-André Fleury, 37, and the Minnesota Wild will visit the Bell Center on Tuesday night. Price did not hide his admiration for the Quebec goalkeeper, three-time Stanley Cup champion in his career.
“’Flower’ is like the bunny in Energizer; he never lacks energy. He’s a pro, and he’s got the body of a guy who can play for a long time, in my opinion. I’ve played a lot of goaltenders who were in their late thirties throughout my career, and they’ve all inspired me,” Price concluded.