No, star goaltender Carey Price’s season is not over. And his career even less. The Montreal Canadiens have revealed that Price’s health is progressing, and therefore a return to play this season is still not excluded.
“His off-ice training is progressing well and he’s getting better. He is not yet ready to return to the ice for the coming week,” the Montreal organization wrote on its official Twitter account.
The Habs had indicated earlier this week that they would offer a medical report on Price, among other things. It had become necessary since rumors about his state of health had begun to circulate, given that he had not been seen on the rink at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard for some time.
In January, when he met the Montreal media for the first time in six months, Price reiterated his desire to return to play during the current campaign. However, he added that “the next few weeks will be very busy, and they will determine the rest of my season”.
While awaiting the results of the exams, the winner of the Vézina Trophy awarded to the NHL’s goaltender par excellence in 2015 had continued his training off the ice. Which he will continue to do over the next week as CH go on a five-game trip.
Price, 34, is still recovering from a knee injury. He hasn’t played a single game since July 7, in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Anahim Lake, BC player spent his entire 14-season NHL career with the Habs. Price is also 360-257-79 with a 2.50 GAA and .917 save percentage on the Bettman league.
Hammond will face his former teammates
The misfortune of some is sometimes the happiness of others. Injuries to Price, Jake Allen and Michael McNiven paved the way for the trade that allowed the Canadiens to obtain goaltender Andrew Hammond from the Minnesota Wild on February 12.
The 34-year-old veteran did very well in his first NHL start in nearly four years earlier this week in a 3-2 shootout win over the New York Islanders. Which set the stage for his departure on Saturday night against his former team, the Ottawa Senators. “When I learned that I was traded [au Canadien], I looked at the calendar while packing my bags and it was this game that caught my attention. It will be special for many reasons”, confided the “Hamburglar”.
Asked if he was concerned that Price and his backup Jake Allen, who started skating again on Thursday, will soon return to action, Hammond offered a pragmatic response. “I don’t get involved. I don’t know where they are in their rehabilitation. Whether it changes things for me or not, I’m here today and I gotta get going [samedi], so that’s what I’m focusing on. That’s all I can control. I try to be a good teammate, and support this team as best I can,” concluded Hammond.