Canadiens expect Price to return ‘soon’ from NHL’s player assistance program

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) blocks a shot. (John Locher/AP)

The Montreal Canadiens expect goaltender Carey Price to return “soon” after spending 30 days in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

“We don’t have confirmation yet, but we’re expecting him in town soon,” Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme told reporters. “We don’t have the exact date yet.”

Price entered the program on Oct. 7 and was expected to be away from the team for at least 30 days. While his return date is still to be determined, Friday would mark the end of his time in the program.

The 34-year-old had been away from the team during training camp dealing with what the team called a non-COVID-illness and he was already expected to miss the start of the season as a result. Jake Allen took over as the team’s starter with Sam Montembeault being picked up on waivers to be the backup.

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Montreal has struggled to start the season going 2-8-0 in their first 10 games.

Price is entering his 15th NHL season with the Canadiens and in the fourth year of an eight-year, $84 million contract. The Vancouver native played a big part in the Canadiens’ run to the Stanley Cup Final last season, posting a .924 save percentage.

During his career, Price has appeared in six All-Star Games, won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender, as well as the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay award, in the 2014-15 season. He also led Canada to a gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

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