Canadiens: Price confident new deal, scoring help on way
BROSSARD, QUE.— Carey Price has put to rest any concern about leaving the Montreal Canadiens.
The star goaltender can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2017-18 season and there has been speculation the team may trade him if they can’t work out a contract extension this summer.
And some wondered if Price wanted to stick with a team that had Stanley Cup aspirations but didn’t have the offensive guns to get it done as they crashed out of the first round of playoffs in six games against the New York Rangers. Price said he has no desire to go. “I want to stay here,” Price said Monday as players met the media for the last time before the off-season break. “I know we’ll figure out a way to make all the pieces fit and bring a championship here.”
Asked about contract talks, the 29-year-old said, “I don’t have any worries about it. I’m sure it will all take care of itself.”
It will be up to general manager Marc Bergevin and his staff to find scoring help.
The first priority will be right-winger Alexander Radulov. The Russian led the team with seven points in the playoffs, but can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Forward Alex Galchenyuk can become a restricted free agent. A decision also looms on 37-year-old defenceman Andrei Markov, whose contract is expiring.