Update on the Future of Carey Price

The Montreal Canadiens have announced they are not expecting Carey Price to return to their net anytime before Christmas. The netminder has been out for numerous reasons and the Canadiens coaching staff provided an update on Monday.

Canadiens head coach Dominque Ducharme spoke to the media today and confirmed Price was day-to-day and that the expectation is some game action in 2022. The veteran goalie has been skating on his own throughout the past couple of weeks, mostly without any equipment on as he continues to rehab his knee surgery when he went under the knife back in late-July.

The 34-year-old British Columbia native has four seasons left on his contract after the 2021-22 season, paying him $10.5 million per season. If there's a full rebuild put on in Montreal, expect to see it start with moving Price and his mega-ticket. There's no denying the fact he's not the same goalie he once was.

The knee injury has also put a damper on the chances of Price suiting up for Team Canada at the Olympics, should the NHL players be going that is. There's just not going to be enough game action for Price to get into tip-top shape where he can handle himself in a intense game like an Olympic event.

Price rejoined the Canadiens back on Nov.7 and it was only expected he would miss a month. Turns out that maybe two or potentially three. It's still touch and go and look for another update on the goalie's status in early 2022. Perhaps a late Christmas present will arrive for Canadiens fans.

Photo credit:  Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports