Carey Price has effectively retired from hockey since hanging up his skates in April 2022.
The Montreal Canadiens have officially traded the contract of legendary goaltender Carey Price to the San Jose Sharks. The deal, confirmed Friday, also includes a 2026 fifth-round draft pick heading to San Jose. In return, Montreal receives minor-league defenceman Gannon Laroque.
This move gives the Canadiens some much-needed financial breathing room under the NHL’s salary cap while formally closing the chapter on Carey Price’s remarkable playing career.
Salary Cap Relief for Montreal Canadiens
Price is in the final season of his eight-year, $84 million contract. While the deal carried a hefty $10.5 million cap hit, only $2 million remained in salary after a $5.5 million signing bonus was paid earlier this week.
By moving Price’s contract, Montreal now sits roughly $4.5 million under the NHL’s salary cap, according to PuckPedia. For a rebuilding team, this flexibility is critical as they continue shaping their roster for the future.
Carey Price: A Career Defined by Excellence
Though his contract has been traded, Carey Price’s legacy in Montreal is untouchable. Known for his calm presence and signature glove saves, the 38-year-old goaltender has effectively retired due to chronic knee issues.
He hasn’t played since April 29, 2022, when he backstopped the Canadiens to a 10-2 victory in the season finale. That year, Price earned the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey, even after appearing in just five games.
From Draft Pick to Franchise Icon
The Canadiens drafted Price fifth overall in 2005, a decision that shaped the next two decades of their franchise. In March 2019, he surpassed Jacques Plante to become Montreal’s winningest goalie, earning his 315th career win.
Price’s career numbers are a testament to his greatness:
- Regular season: 361 wins, 261 losses, 79 overtime losses
- Shutouts: 49
- Save percentage: .917
- Goals-against average (GAA): 2.51
In the playoffs, he was equally formidable with a .919 save percentage and a 2.39 GAA across 92 games. While a Stanley Cup title eluded him, Price’s heroic run in 2021 carried Montreal to a surprise Final appearance before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Peak Years of Carey Price
Price’s crowning achievement came in the 2014-15 season. That year, he captured both the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Vezina Trophy as best goaltender. His numbers were spectacular: 44 wins, a .933 save percentage, and a 1.96 GAA.
Internationally, he also shone on the biggest stage. At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, he led Canada to gold with a .972 save percentage and just three goals allowed in five games.
Who is Gannon Laroque?
In return for taking on Price’s contract, the Sharks sent defenceman Gannon Laroque to Montreal. Drafted in the fourth round in 2021, the 22-year-old split his 2023-24 season between the AHL and ECHL. However, he did not play during the 2024-25 campaign due to injury.
A New Chapter for Canadiens and Price
This trade represents more than just salary cap maneuvering. It marks the official end of Carey Price’s era with the Canadiens. For Montreal fans, Price will always remain the face of stability and brilliance in net. For the team, the move creates financial flexibility as they continue their rebuild.
Carey Price’s contract may belong to San Jose now, but his legacy will forever belong to Montreal.
