Carey Price Contract Trade: What It Means for the Canadiens’ Salary Cap Future

The Montreal Canadiens are once again in the spotlight, this time for the future of legendary goaltender Carey Price. While Price hasn’t played since the 2021-22 season due to a serious knee injury, his contract still carries a $10.5M cap hit through 2025-26. Now that the final signing bonus has been paid, the Canadiens may look to trade Price’s contract to gain valuable salary cap flexibility.

Why Trading Carey Price’s Contract Makes Sense

Moving Price’s deal isn’t about his on ice performance anymore, it’s about salary cap strategy. Just as Montreal did with Shea Weber’s contract, finding a partner team willing to take on Price’s contract (possibly a team like the San Jose Sharks looking to reach the cap floor) would provide instant relief.

For Montreal, clearing Price’s contract would:

• Free up cap space to pursue a second-line center behind Nick Suzuki.
• Offer flexibility for trades or free-agent signings during the season.
• Reduce reliance on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), which complicates roster management.

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Price’s Legacy in Montreal

Even if the contract is traded, Carey Price’s legacy in Montreal is untouchable. Drafted fifth overall in 2005, Price became one of the greatest goaltenders of his generation. His accomplishments include:

• 2014-15 Hart, Vezina, Ted Lindsay, and Jennings Trophies (historic sweep).
• Over 360 career wins with a .917 save percentage.
• Leading the Canadiens to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.
• Gold medals with Team Canada at the 2014 Olympics and 2016 World Cup.

His impact goes beyond stats, Price embodied stability in net for over 15 years and will undoubtedly be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the near future.

👉 Explore more Canadiens legends in our Player Profiles

What’s Next for the Canadiens?

General manager Kent Hughes and executive VP Jeff Gorton have been clear about wanting to improve the Canadiens’ depth at center. If they can move Price’s contract, Montreal could be in a much stronger position to pursue that missing piece behind Suzuki.

Of course, if a trade isn’t possible, LTIR remains an option. But given the low actual salary owed ($2M in 2025-26), a move is not only possible—it’s likely.

As the Canadiens look to transition into a new competitive window, trading Carey Price’s contract may be the final step in turning the page.