The Montreal Canadiens are in last place in the NHL standings, but that won’t sway Carey Price’s decision on whether to aim for a comeback in 2021-22.
The star goaltender said at a press conference Sunday evening that he is “hoping for the best” as he resumes rehabilitation from a July 23 knee surgery, and it remains an objective for him to return to competition this season.
“You know, it’s always been my goal, ever since I got back here,” Price said. “Obviously, I’ve had a couple of setbacks that weren’t foreseen. It’s been a frustrating process, no doubt, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to take care of it. And, you know, moving forward, I’m starting to skate again, so hopefully I’ll keep on progressing and be able to get back into uniform pretty soon. … It’s going to be interesting to see how my knee responds. I’m hoping for the best.”
Before the regular season, Price, 34, who has played for the Canadiens for 14 seasons, voluntarily entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program to address his mental health. He said in a statement in November that he’d let himself “get to a very dark place” and entered a residential treatment facility for substance use.
“I was in a position where I definitely needed to reach out,” Price said Sunday. “It was a trying time, for sure, but at the end of the day, it was one that I knew that had to be made, and ultimately it was one that was successful, and I’m very thankful for the help that I got.”
When he entered the residential treatment facility, he had to postpone the rehab for his knee. He returned to the team in November and began making progress again before the Canadiens had to shut down team activities in early January due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Price contracted the coronavirus during that time.
On Jan. 17, Montreal announced Price would need to restart his rehab, and there was no timetable for his return.
“It’s a big part of my identity … being a goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens has been my life for over a decade,” Price said. “I just want to be able to get back in there and just continue playing. And to be able to put that sweater on again is something that is keeping me motivated at this point.”
Price, the 2015 Vezina Trophy winner, is still considered one of the sport’s premier goalies. Montreal’s final regular-season game is scheduled for April 29.
–Field Level Media