MONTREAL -- When Carey Price was drafted fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2005, he was immediately labeled a franchise player.

But after two difficult seasons in the NHL, Price is determined to prove he is worth all the hype.

"With a new coach and a new goalie coach, there's a lot of pressure put on me to have a better performance and I'm ready for that," Price said.

The 22-year-old got off to a great start in 2008-09, his first season as the Canadiens' uncontested No. 1 goalie, going 16-4-5 by Jan. 1. But the wheels fell off in the second half of the season as he slumped to 7-12-5 the rest of the way.

"Things may have gotten out of control a little bit last year," he said. "Things were rolling and all of a sudden you wind up in the gutter."

Price said that facing the pitfalls of being a Montreal Canadiens, while difficult, will benefit him in the long run.

"That's one thing I learned at an early stage at 21 years old and things are going so well. It's easy to get distracted (in Montreal) but I think over last season I learned valuable lessons I can carry into this one."

Scott Gomez, getting his first taste of 24-hour coverage after being traded from the New York Rangers this summer, sympathizes with the pressure Price has on him.

"Let's face it he's got toughest job in the league and probably in probably one of the toughest places for a goaltender," Gomez said. "He's matured quick just with what he's had to deal with. You can tell he wants to be the best."

And Gomez paid Price a compliment when he compared to him his former goaltender when Gomez was with the New Jersey Devils.

"He reminds me of Marty (Brodeur) because of his demeanour and his confidence," Gomez said.

Price is expected to get the start in goal Thursday in Montreal as the Canadiens open their pre-season game against the Florida Panthers. Curtis Sanford will back him up.