Carey Price - Canadians Savior?

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Jay Tup
November 9, 2021 (5:18 PM)

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Carey Price officially returned to the Montreal Canadiens yesterday and met with his teammates for the first time today and as great of a story as that is, it's likely that the Canadiens season is all but over at this point. The team that made a miraculous run to the Stanley Cup finals last season has come out of the gates colder than cold to start the season. The Candiens have started the season 3-10-0 and are currently tied for 31st overall with Chicago with only 6 points.

Over the last three full 82 game seasons it's taken a minimum of 95 points in the Eastern Conference to make the playoffs, so for Montreal to turn their season around they'd need to finish the next 69 games with a record of 40-20-9 or any combination resulting in them acquiring 89 points or a win percentage of .640 something the Habs haven't done since 2014-2015.

After everything Carey Price has been through he is truly deserving of his storybook ending. His enrollment in the NHL Players Assistance Program was a huge step for himself, for the game and for every fan who might have been hesitating asking for help. The way Price has carried himself over his entire career is deserving of praise and one more crowning moment. It's unlikely he gets that moment with the Canadiens this season and for a goalie who turns 35 in August he may not get another crack at the Stanley Cup, but what he might still get?

A shot at an Olympic Gold Medal.

Of all the current leaders in goals against average the only two Canadians are San Jose's James Reimer and the Winnipeg Jets Eric Comrie, neither of which will receive any consideration for Team Canada. If we look at save percentage the only Canadian goalies are Reimer (.946) and the Flyers, Carter Hart (.926) and of the two Hart is likely to receive some consideration along with someone like Jordan Binnington.

So this opens the door for someone like Carey Price.

If it weren't for his off-season injury and his enrollment in the Players Assistance Program Price would be considered a lock for Team Canada and likely still should be. Especially with the lack of options Team Canada has in net, Price should still be their number one option and he certainly showed during last season's playoffs that when the chips are on the table Price is still an elite goalie.

Now given everything Carey and his family have been through this year there would be nothing sweeter than watching Carey Price backstopping Team Canada to a Gold Medal at the Winter Olympics.

I can't think of anything I'd rather watch to bookend Price's amazing career.