“It’s not if, but when. We have often heard this phrase for the imminent return of the Quebec Nordiques or the Montreal Expos. But we are still waiting.
• Read also: The Senators, a hungry team visiting the Bell Center
• Read also: Three-year entry contract: Emil Heineman agrees with the Canadian
You could say the same with Carey Price. There are now fewer and fewer doubts as to whether the Canadiens’ goalkeeper will be able to play a game by the end of the season. It’s more about when he’ll start blocking pucks again against another NHL team.
This week ? Next week ? April 29, date of the last game of the season against the Florida Panthers? The answer remains unknown.
“I don’t know,” said Martin St-Louis on Monday. I have no idea. But it was nice to see him back in training. »
Price was not just an observer during this session, a first in Montreal after a four-game trip to Newark, Sunrise, Raleigh and Tampa.
Operated on a knee in July, Price was technically absent for a period of 10 to 12 weeks. We know the story. He didn’t heal as quickly and he worked on his mental health and addictions early in the season.
Hands-feet-mouth
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Number 31 has also been unlucky in recent days when he caught hand-foot-mouth disease, which left him unable to follow the team on the road.
“Carey looked good today [lundi], he still looks good,” winger Brendan Gallagher said. I don’t score against him. He works hard, he will be ready. He has gone through many stages this year. »
“We are happy for him,” he continued. I am his teammate, his friend. I know it means a lot to him to come back. He is getting closer. I don’t know when he will play, but we are happy for him. »
More than once this season, we thought the 34-year-old veteran was knocking on the door of a comeback, but this time seems to be the right one.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Price will fight to return to action by the end of the campaign in order to dispel the doubts in his mind about the condition of his knee. For the team, the return of the athlete from Anahim Lake will also have an important symbolism.
“You can’t ask a player to fill Carey’s shoes,” goaltender Jake Allen said. He has experience, he is a leader. He has been in Montreal for a long time, he is respected by his teammates. He is an irreplaceable player. He can’t wait to come back and it shows. »
“I don’t think anyone would blame him if he hadn’t played this year,” Allen said. He always tried. He told me again that he wanted to play. He pushes his limits. Many people thought he was done for the year. He is a competitor. If I was in his shoes, I would do the same. It’s been a pretty crazy year. He will have the chance to prove that he remains Carey. If I were in his place, I would also like to prove to this organization that I am still the same. »
Family photo
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Carey Price stopped his teammates’ shots on Monday during practice.
For the team photo, Price wore the official CH jersey for the first time since the five-game elimination against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final on July 7, 2021. On October 18, he was not present for the first family portrait.
Gallagher should play
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Missing the last eight games, Gallagher participated in the full practice with his teammates. The little number 11 expects to play against the Ottawa Senators tonight.
“I want to win games and get back into the roster,” Gallagher said. I will never change as a player. I learned this year from a difficult season. I still believe that I am the same player. However, I paid the price for a training summer that was too short. I felt like I was unable to stay healthy. »
In 43 games this season, Gallagher has just 14 points, including five goals.
Emil Heineman, acquired in the trade sending Tyler Toffoli to the Calgary Flames, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens on Monday. The 20-year-old winger who played in Sweden will end the season with the Laval Rocket.