Is Carey Price retiring? Canadiens goaltender to address playing future with press conference on Monday

Carey Price has been one of the best goaltenders of the last decade, but have we seen the last of the Canadiens goalie?

The 35-year-old is set to meet with the media on Monday at noon to discuss his future plans. Price is currently on long-term injured reserve and is not expected to play this season as he continues to deal with a knee injury that kept him out of most of last season. 

Price suited up for just five games in 2021-22. He was expected to miss the beginning of the season, however he entered into the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in the fall, delaying his return. 

There have been speculations of a retirement announcement from Price. Given his health concerns and his age, it’s understandable. You add the fact that the Canadiens elected to extend Jake Allen for two more years rather than trade him when he was highly sought after by other teams, and it appears that Montreal has a plan in place in case their previous starter can not return.

However Price is not expected to announce any plans on hanging up the skates on Monday. According to reports, the meeting with the media has been planned for some time now, but it does not involve retiring. 

#Habs Carey Price will speak with the media tomorrow (Monday) around 12pm ET in Brossard.
— and before anyone asks: no, he will *not* be announcing his retirement.

— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) October 23, 2022

Is Carey Price retiring?

While a lot of information has been vague regarding Price’s status going forward, one thing has been abundantly clear ahead of his media availability on Monday — Price is not retiring. 

Multiple outlets reported ahead of Price’s media date that it is not a retirement announcement. It has something that has been in the works for a bit now. 

Just to clarify, since I see all kinds of reactions: This has been in the plans for a long time. Carey was away for a bit during training camp and it just worked out this way schedule-wise. It’s just to discuss how he feels and go over his situation. And no, not retiring.

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 18, 2022

Carey Price career stats

While Price isn’t retiring, there is still a chance that he has already played in his final NHL game. 

If the longtime Canadiens goalie cannot get healthy enough to suit up again, he’ll still finish his career with one of the more impressive resumes. His 361 wins are the 21st-most in NHL history and his 44 wins during the 2014-15 season are tied for the eighth-most all time in a single season. 

Price is a seven-time All-Star, a Hart, Ted Lindsay and Vezina winner, an Olympic gold medalist, World Cup of Hockey gold medalist and Bill Masterton recipient. He appeared in one Stanley Cup Final as well. 

Carey Price contract details

While Price may not be able to play in the NHL again, he is still under contract until 2026. 

Price has four years left on his deal, including this season. He carries a cap hit of $10.5 million. 

With Price currently on long-term injured reserve, the Canadiens have some flexibility with the cap. With the goalie’s high cap hit on LTIR, it allows the organization to use his cap hit elsewhere.