Canadiens goalies Price, Budaj back on the ice
Tight schedule, shortened season mean both netminders must get in shape fast
There was something new as the Canadiens worked out in Brossard on Thursday — honest to goodness NHL goaltenders.
As the players who stayed in the Montreal area worked to stay in shape during the lockout, they had to be content with peppering beer-league netminders in their thriceweekly workouts. But, as the Canadiens moved closer to the official opening of training camp Sunday, Carey Price and Peter Budaj checked in.
Price, who’s armed with a new six-year, $39-million contract, hasn’t played a game since a concussion sidelined him late last season. The Canadiens felt that he might have benefitted by going to Europe, but the 25-year said he was happy with his extended off-season preparations.
“I thought I would be better off if I stayed in one place and got some rest,” said Price, who played 65 games last season. “I didn’t want to be travelling a lot. I went to TriCities where I played junior and I worked out with them.”
Price, who has become accustomed to heavy workloads over the past two seasons, said he wasn’t sure how new head coach Michel Therrien would divide the workload in the coming season.
“We haven’t seen the schedule yet, but it appears that we’ll be playing every other night,” Price said. “Obviously, I can’t play every game; I’m going to need some help.”
Budaj, who played 17 games last season, also said it was too early to say whether he would have a heavier workload.
“It’s definitely going to be a tough schedule,” Budaj said. “It’s going to be important for every player to stay fresh. It’s going to be up to the coaching staff and I’m sure they’re going to do what’s best. When the schedule comes out, we’ll sit down with the coaches and come up with some sort of plan.”
Budaj, who is from Slovakia, also passed on the idea of going to Europe.
“I stayed in Denver,” said Budaj, whose six seasons with the Colorado Avalanche turned him into a rabid Denver Broncos fan. “I was hoping the lockout was going to be much shorter. Every month they were saying we have the big meeting going on, but nothing happened. I spent some time with my son and I skated in Denver where there were a few guys. Tyler Bozak from the Maple Leafs was with us because he lives there and then there were guys like (Milan) Hejduk, (Jan) Hejda. (Marek) Svatos and J.S. Giguère.”
He said they tried to skate two or three times a week at the University of Denver rink before the school team practised.
Budaj said the biggest problem was not having enough players for a full scrimmage.
“I think the big problem for me won’t be game shape, but adjusting to situations,” said Budaj, whose flowing locks challenge those of Ryan White and Brandon Prust for the honour of having the most impressive mullet. “We didn’t have enough players in Colorado, so we played half the ice. I think it will be good over the next week to be scrimmaging a lot to get back into the rhythm of playing on the full ice.”
At a time when there was a major upheaval in the Canadiens’ front office and the coaching staff, Price said he was happy that Therrien heeded his advice and elected to retain goaltending coach Pierre Groulx.
”It’s important for a goalie and the goaltending coach to have a good relationship,” Price said. “We’ve been together now for three years and he knows my game.”
The two weren’t allowed to have any contact during the lockout, but Groulx travelled to Kelowna in the summer where he worked with Price and Budaj.
Price also worked with strength and conditioning coach Pierre Allard, and the result is that the 6-foot-3 Price is sporting a trimmer figure.
“I weighed in at 209 pounds this morning,” said Price, who has taken about 10 pounds off his weight while maintaining his strength.
While Price has a new contract, Budaj is in the final season of a two-year deal.
“I don’t think that creates any more pressure,” Budaj said. “You can’t worry about your next contract. You’re always being evaluated on your performance and I have to focus on the right thing.”
Budaj said the emphasis for every player should be to put on a good show and “win back the fans, especially in the States.”
“We have a 10-year deal which is good for both sides and we have to get back to growing the game,” Budaj said.