Speculation: What happens with Carey Price?

[Habs Halifax]

Price was a special goalie, he isn't no more, especially with that contract, his age, and his continual health issues.

Price was and still is a special goalie. He was still a star in net last playoffs. Ability is not fading like you think it is and this is a health issue, not an ability issue. Star goalies don't decline at rapid rates and Price is not some overweight goalie that stops pucks cause he's big like Giguere.

He's lean and in great shape at his age. He's just dealing with discomfort in his knee and they took their time with his recovery. We have to wait to see more sample size when he plays again and 3-5 games to finish the season is likely not enough

 

[beowulf]

A lot of this comes down to: a) does he play a few games this year b) does he want to be moved which so far he has said no.

I would not be surprised that he is at the Habs camp this fall and starts the year with them at the very least.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Surely Tavares can’t be back in Toronto next year….
Double retention?

32 next year. "Get rid of him now". Just like Kadri and Anderson... He's going to cost them the playoffs. Fair is fair I guess if someone wants to count out Price and throw out "buy out" narratives.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

Price is a special goalie it requires a special trade discussion. But first, he needs to play and put his current health issues in the past.

Habs are not doing a Roy over again where we take meh back and give the other team an edge for a cup. If the Habs are retaining (they should and have to), the trade will be complicated to pull off where both sides are content.

Definitely not easy but there will be teams interested in a healthy Price. I think this picks up more steam at the 23 deadline where the cap is going to be higher in 23/24+ seasons.

Is he really special? His mediocre regular season numbers over the last 4 years doesn't really seem to support that claim. Maybe he would be special, if he could consistently play up to his abilities, but it seems like the last time he was able to do that was 2015. Is the time off and repaired knee going to change that? To me, that's as big a question, if not bigger, as whether his knee can hold up.

I do agree that if he's playing well and on the market with 50% retention around the TDL or next off-season, there will definitely be teams interested. I just struggle to see any competent GMs giving up a ton of assets to help Montreal make Price's contract comparable to his peers. To me, Montreal created the problem by signing him to an albatross contract, so they should be solely responsible for cleaning up their own mess.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

I don't view this as an attempt by the OP to stir things up. If he plays well for a few games, I think lots of teams will be willing to part with significant assets for a single retention, in my opinion.

Leafs and Oilers absolutely need need need goaltending. A healthy Price gives them a legit chance at a Stanley cup, which I'm guessing was what the OP was getting at.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Is he really special? His mediocre regular season numbers over the last 4 years doesn't really seem to support that claim. Maybe he would be special, if he could consistently play up to his abilities, but it seems like the last time he was able to do that was 2015. Is the time off and repaired knee going to change that? To me, that's as big a question, if not bigger, as whether his knee can hold up.

I do agree that if he's playing well and on the market with 50% retention around the TDL or next off-season, there will definitely be teams interested. I just struggle to see any competent GMs giving up a ton of assets to help Montreal make Price's contract comparable to his peers. To me, Montreal created the problem by signing him to an albatross contract, so they should be solely responsible for cleaning up their own mess.

I know what you think already. You don't think he is special. But I do and many others do as well.

Last time he was able to play to his ability was not 2015. It was last playoffs and the playoffs before that. I can't stress this enough... this is a health issue, not an ability issue.

Price has been asked to carry the Habs for too long and when you see the team actually play well, he just brings it and it shows. But when you are leaned on heavy like that over and over again, you kind of get tired with it. Then add the health issues and here we are today.

No doubt in my mind that once healthy, he gives a cup contender a real shot at a cup or two. You won't change my mind on that. Price is a special goalie.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I don't view this as an attempt by the OP to stir things up. If he plays well for a few games, I think lots of teams will be willing to part with significant assets for a single retention, in my opinion.

Leafs and Oilers absolutely need need need goaltending. A healthy Price gives them a legit chance at a Stanley cup, which I'm guessing was what the OP was getting at.

What the OP was getting at is they want Price but want double retention and to pay little to get cause if we don't bite on that, we are going to have to consider buying him out. It's basically like trade him now or you are screwed.

You're not wrong. Several cup contenders who need a goalie can use Price but they want us to retain 50% and pay little to acquire. Good luck with that. We will consider retention yes but we are not trading Price to any team giving them an edge for a cup for cheap. Pay up or shut up is what I say. I'm sick and tired of the Price devalues over the years where they say "The Habs are nothing without Price" but then say "he is not worth much" when it comes to trade talks. So many have said both too. It's out there on record

Leafs and Oilers getting Price at $5.25M. If we are retaining, we are not taking a contract back and what you going to offer? 2nd rounders and B prospects. Yeah, that's what they will try... been there done that.

 

[MettleMcOiler]

We can't buy him out.

Carey Price Buyout Details​

Cost Calculations​

BUYOUT DATE	BASE SALARY REMAINING	S.BONUS REMAINING	YEARS REMAINING	BUYOUT LENGTH	AGE	BUYOUT RATIO	TOTAL COST	TOTAL SAVINGS	ANNUAL COST
Jun. 15, 2022	$7,000,000	$24,250,000	4	8	34	2/3	$4,666,667	$2,333,333	$583,333

Cap Hit Calculations​

SEASON	INITIAL BASE SALARY	INITIAL CAP HIT	SIGNING BONUS	BUYOUT COST	POST-BUYOUT EARNINGS	SAVINGS	CAP HIT ( MTL)
2022-23	$1,000,000	$10,500,000	$6,750,000	$583,333	$7,333,333	$416,667	$10,083,333
2023-24	$2,000,000	$10,500,000	$6,500,000	$583,333	$7,083,333	$1,416,667	$9,083,333
2024-25	$2,000,000	$10,500,000	$5,500,000	$583,333	$6,083,333	$1,416,667	$9,083,333
2025-26	$2,000,000	$10,500,000	$5,500,000	$583,333	$6,083,333	$1,416,667	$9,083,333
2026-27	$0	$0	$0	$583,333	$583,333	-$583,333	$583,333
2027-28	$0	$0	$0	$583,333	$583,333	-$583,333	$583,333
2028-29	$0	$0	$0	$583,333	$583,333	-$583,333	$583,333
2029-30	$0	$0	$0	$583,333	$583,333	-$583,333	$583,333

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He returns but as a forward and wins the Art Ross

 

[Habby4Life]

Price was and still is a special goalie. He was still a star in net last playoffs. Ability is not fading like you think it is and this is a health issue, not an ability issue. Star goalies don't decline at rapid rates and Price is not some overweight goalie that stops pucks cause he's big like Giguere.

He's lean and in great shape at his age. He's just dealing with discomfort in his knee and they took their time with his recovery. We have to wait to see more sample size when he plays again and 3-5 games to finish the season is likely not enough

Price was a star who is on the decline. He is in rapid decline and it’s not going to improve. He had a great PO but has been average during the regular seasons for a long time.

Price’s better days are long in the past. At 10.5 mil he is more of an issue than an asset.

 

[Habby4Life]

Carey Price Buyout Details​

Cost Calculations​

BUYOUT DATE	BASE SALARY REMAINING	S.BONUS REMAINING	YEARS REMAINING	BUYOUT LENGTH	AGE	BUYOUT RATIO	TOTAL COST	TOTAL SAVINGS	ANNUAL COST
Jun. 15, 2022	$7,000,000	$24,250,000	4	8	34	2/3	$4,666,667	$2,333,333	$583,333

Cap Hit Calculations​

SEASON	INITIAL BASE SALARY	INITIAL CAP HIT	SIGNING BONUS	BUYOUT COST	POST-BUYOUT EARNINGS	SAVINGS	CAP HIT ( MTL)
2022-23	$1,000,000	$10,500,000	$6,750,000	$583,333	$7,333,333	$416,667	$10,083,333
2023-24	$2,000,000	$10,500,000	$6,500,000	$583,333	$7,083,333	$1,416,667	$9,083,333
2024-25	$2,000,000	$10,500,000	$5,500,000	$583,333	$6,083,333	$1,416,667	$9,083,333
2025-26	$2,000,000	$10,500,000	$5,500,000	$583,333	$6,083,333	$1,416,667	$9,083,333
2026-27	$0	$0	$0	$583,333	$583,333	-$583,333	$583,333
2027-28	$0	$0	$0	$583,333	$583,333	-$583,333	$583,333
2028-29	$0	$0	$0	$583,333	$583,333	-$583,333	$583,333
2029-30	$0	$0	$0	$583,333	$583,333	-$583,333	$583,333

He’s right they can’t buy him out, there is practically no savings. His contract is a massive burden.

 

[MettleMcOiler]

He’s right they can’t buy him out, there is practically no savings. His contract is a massive burden.

Correct, for at least for 4 years. Just like the Wild.
It would only make sense if the Habs are going full rebuild, which as an outsider looking in... I'm not sure what you guys are doing.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

I know what you think already. You don't think he is special. But I do and many others do as well.

Last time he was able to play to his ability was not 2015. It was last playoffs and the playoffs before that. I can't stress this enough... this is a health issue, not an ability issue.

Price has been asked to carry the Habs for too long and when you see the team actually play well, he just brings it and it shows. But when you are leaned on heavy like that over and over again, you kind of get tired with it. Then add the health issues and here we are today.

No doubt in my mind that once healthy, he gives a cup contender a real shot at a cup or two. You won't change my mind on that.

I think being special requires actually doing special things. Roy was special because he actually won Cups and Conn Smythes. Hasek regularly dragged the Sabres into the playoffs and won 6 Vezinas over 8 years. Does Price really deserve to be viewed in that same light, despite having none of the same results?

And, sorry, 22 playoff games isn't a large enough sample size to convince me that he can CONSISTENTLY play up to his abilities. Maybe it's because the 25 regular season games he played before those 22 playoff games were extremely mediocre, and he's missed every game since then, but I'm still looking at it as a hot streak, and not proof that he's turned the corner in terms of consistency.

And, sure, if he's healthy, he does give a contender a real shot. But so do a bunch of other goalies, so why pay significantly more for Price with 50% retention?

 

[Canadienna]

Correct, for at least for 4 years. Just like the Wild.
It would only make sense if the Habs are going full rebuild, which as an outsider looking in... I'm not sure what you guys are doing.

If we're going full rebuild why would we lengthen the amount of time we're paying him by buying him out.

That 1m savings for a few years isn't going to help a rebuilding team.

As far as I can tell there's no good reason to buy him out. No matter what the Habs plans are.

 

[Habby4Life]

If we're going full rebuild why would we lengthen the amount of time we're paying him by buying him out.

That 1m savings for a few years isn't going to help a rebuilding team.

As far as I can tell there's no good reason to buy him out. No matter what the Habs plans are.

They won't buy him out. If they can't find a trade they will just have to live with him for 2-3 years while they rebuild. There is a good chance he will be injured in each of those seasons anyway.

His contract will be easier to move or buy out when it has a year or year and half left on it. Until then they are probably stuck with an overpaid injury prone goaltender on the decline.

 

[Habs Halifax]

They won't buy him out. If they can't find a trade they will just have to live with him for 2-3 years while they rebuild. There is a good chance he will be injured in each of those seasons anyway.

His contract will be easier to move or buy out when it has a year or year and half left on it. Until then they are probably stuck with an overpaid injury prone goaltender on the decline.

Buy out talk is nonsense. He is either on LTIR or playing cause he is healthy again. Do people really think that he don't have the ability anymore after watching last years playoffs?

 

[Rafafouille]

He'll ride out the rest of his contract, we'll have to see if that's in the net or on IR. No way any team takes a chance at 100% and he'll have to prove something before anyone takes him at 50% as well. Either way not expecting much out of him. He hasn't played in almost a year and has been a below average goaltender for 3 of the past 4 regular seasons. One hot streak in the playoffs doesn't mean that he's suddenly back to prime Price.

 

[Habby4Life]

Buy out talk is nonsense. He is either on LTIR or playing cause he is healthy again. Do people really think that he don't have the ability anymore after watching last years playoffs?

Buyout in the last year of his contract is more than plausible.

He can still play but he is not the Price of old, he is injury prone and on the decline, and thats a fact. His contract is an anchor. He is not a 10.5 mil goalie anymore.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Is he really special? His mediocre regular season numbers over the last 4 years doesn't really seem to support that claim. Maybe he would be special, if he could consistently play up to his abilities, but it seems like the last time he was able to do that was 2015. Is the time off and repaired knee going to change that? To me, that's as big a question, if not bigger, as whether his knee can hold up.

I do agree that if he's playing well and on the market with 50% retention around the TDL or next off-season, there will definitely be teams interested. I just struggle to see any competent GMs giving up a ton of assets to help Montreal make Price's contract comparable to his peers. To me, Montreal created the problem by signing him to an albatross contract, so they should be solely responsible for cleaning up their own mess.

didnt he just carry us to the finals a couple months ago.... Price is Price that didnt change but i do agree that he has a horrible contract that no GM would touch unless we retain alot

 

[Habs Halifax]

Buyout in the last year of his contract is more than plausible.

He can still play but he is not the Price of old, he is injury prone and on the decline, and thats a fact. His contract is an anchor. He is not a 10.5 mil goalie anymore.

I don't see buyout. I see LTIR or he plays cause he still can and is healthy. I see Fleury potential and better at the same age points and someone is going to try to sign Fleury this summer. At age 38 which is the last year Price is signed till.

This is not a question of ability. It's a question of health and if he is not, he is on LTIR... not being bought out. That makes no sense at all.

 

[Habby4Life]

I don't see buyout. I see LTIR or he plays cause he still can and is healthy. I see Fleury potential and better at the same age points and someone is going to try to sign Fleury this summer. At age 38 which is the last year Price is signed till.

This is not a question of ability. It's a question of health and if he is not, he is on LTIR... not being bought out. That makes no sense at all.

Right now a buy out makes no sense, who know 3 years from now, its much more plausible then.

No one is going to offer MAF close to 10.5 mil this summer. Price is a rapidly declining asset.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Right now a buy out makes no sense, who know 3 years from now, its much more plausible then.

No one is going to offer MAF close to 10.5 mil this summer. Price is a rapidly declining asset.

In 3 years Price will be on LTIR or he will still be a legit starter in the NHL.

10.5M don't matter cause we are not trading him without retention. 50% retention is probably less than what Fleury gets for a contract next year or very close to it. And Price is the better goalie even though I like Fleury's ability a lot too.

"Habs are nothing without Price". That was said by a lot of Habs haters last playoffs. Don't be fooled cause when it comes to a trade and we are retaining, they will say "He's not worth much". It's the same friggen people saying the opposite things in different conversations. You can't have it both ways.

 

[Habby4Life]

In 3 years Price will be on LTIR or he will still be a legit starter in the NHL.

10.5M don't matter cause we are not trading him without retention. 50% retention is probably less than what Fleury gets for a contract next year or very close to it. And Price is the better goalie even though I like Fleury's ability a lot too.

"Habs are nothing without Price". That was said by a lot of Habs haters last playoffs. Don't be fooled cause when it comes to a trade and we are retaining, they will say "He's not worth much". It's the same friggen people saying the opposite things in different conversations. You can't have it both ways.

Sorry, don't see it the way you do.

Price isnt the goalie he was and he is not going to improve over time. He had a great playoff run but it does not change his health issues or the fact he has been very average the last 3-4 yrs.

I hope they can find a decent trade or live with his contract for a couple of years until it becomes easier to move via trade or buyout. Frankly, Price's time with the Habs should come to an end soon.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Sorry, don't see it the way you do.

Price isnt the goalie he was and he is not going to improve over time. He had a great playoff run but it does not change his health issues or the fact he has been very average the last 3-4 yrs.

I hope they can find a decent trade or live with his contract for a couple of years until it becomes easier to move via trade or buyout. Frankly, Price's time with the Habs should come to an end soon.

Price is a victim of being asked to carry the load too much (for far to long). You know is true. In the last two playoffs when the Habs were actually playing good in front of him, you see what he can do. He's not 25-30 anymore yes but he's also not far down the cliff like some thing either.

Now think about what Price can do on a contender if healthy.

This is not a question of ability/age, it's a question of health.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

didnt he just carry us to the finals a couple months ago.... Price is Price that didnt change but i do agree that he has a horrible contract that no GM would touch unless we retain alot

Anton Khudobin carried the Stars to the Finals in 19-20. Is he special too? Or does it take more than a single good playoff run to qualify?