When the Montreal Canadiens traded goalie Cristobal Huet in 2008, it was clear they were prepared to anoint prized prospect Carey Price as their number one goalie. Price was a world junior Gold Medalist, a Calder Cup champion and the recipient of many individual awards. He showed signs of brilliance, playing 41 games that season, winning 24 and advancing to the playoffs. But despite the obvious plan for him to be the new goaltending star in the hockey hotbed of Montreal, Price experienced some growing pains. His immaturity, and suspected inability to handle the pressure of playing for the Habs cast doubt over whether he could become the guy to lead the Canadiens back to glory.
Carey Price Lost his Starting Role
Drafted 5th overall in the 2005 NHL entry draft, it was clear Canadian-born Carey Price would be the marquee player for the Habs. But he would have some competition in 25 year old Slovakian Jaroslav Halak, drafted 271st overall in 2003. Halak wasn't a blue chip prospect like Price, but his numbers were better. He was the kind of competition Price needed to push him to be better, but late in the 2009-10 season, it was Halak who took over the starting job. He played 45 games, winning 26, and leading the Habs into the playoffs. It was there that Halak's legend grew. He almost single-handedly beat the top- seeded Washington Capitals in the first round, and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round. Surely Halak was due for a big raise. But Montreal wouldn't be able to keep both goalies. So a decision was made to trade Halak.
Does Carey Price Deserve Money Similar to Halak?
Because Jaroslav Halak was a restricted free agent, the Habs wouldn't be able to get much in return, and they didn't. Halak was sent to the Blues for centre Lars Eller and right winger Ian Schultz. St. Louis wasted little time in signing the goalie, inking him to four year deal worth approx. $3.75 million per season. Despite Price being the one with "all the potential", it's Halak who led the Habs to the conference finals almost entirely on his own. Price, although only 23 years old, hasn't done a whole lot. If he wasn't a 5th overall draft pick, would he have this much fanfare with his stats and track record? There are reports Price is now demanding a salary in range of $3 million per season, or he'll go on strike. Is Price worth that much?
The Canadiens Have Other Goalie Options
If somehow Carey Price is not a member of the Montreal Canadiens come the start of the season, expect an uprising by fans. They knew Halak and Price could not remain as a tandem, but to lose both? Some are skeptical if Price's threats are accurate, but why is it that two weeks away from training camp, he still isn't signed? As terrible as it is for Habs fans to fathom, there are some other options. They have two very capable back-ups in Alex Auld and Curtis Sanford, and a prospect in newly acquired Kari Ramo. And of course, Stanley Cup winning goaltender Antti Niemi is still looking for work, and he is demanding less money than Price. Obviously, after putting all their eggs into Price's basket once again, Canadiens management will do everything they can to sign him, but will they end up overpaying? Can Price handle the pressure playing in Montreal? Does he even want to be there?
Marcia Di Michele - In addition to Suite101, Marcy is also a writer for TheHockeyWriters.com and blogs for Sports Illustrated's Fannation page. Marcy has been ...
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