However, he is still under contract until 2026, earning just over $10 million per year.
Could Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens trade this contract? They could do it in less than a month!
Even though the contract can obviously be placed on the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) list, it still limits the Canadiens because Kent Hughes has to ensure they reach the salary cap before he can use the freed-up money.
In short, a transaction involving Carey Price's contract could benefit the Canadiens, especially if Kent Hughes wants to make a significant move in the free-agent market.
As Marc Dumont points out, starting July 2, Carey will receive a bonus of $5.5 million.
This means he will only have one more bonus to earn afterward (in July 2025).
Knowing that the vast majority of his salary comes from signing bonuses, this changes everything for a team that might want to acquire him.
This is a major development in his situation.
If the Canadiens trade him after July 2, 2024, his contract will only cost $9.5 million in total for two full years, which could certainly facilitate a trade.
This is something to keep in mind and a situation to watch because it's not impossible to see Kent Hughes make another trade like the "Shea Weber" deal, but this time with Carey Price's contract.
It could have value for a team looking to reach the NHL salary floor and not wanting to pay, or for a team that really wants to give itself the best chance to draft the phenom Gavin McKenna.
Price will have a $10.5 million impact on the salary cap but will cost about $2 million per year in actual money (excluding bonuses).
Shea Weber was traded by Kent Hughes and the Canadiens on June 16, 2022, to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Evgeny Dadonov.
He was then traded a few months later to the Arizona Coyotes, along with a 2023 fifth-round pick, in exchange for Dysin Mayo.
This gives an idea of the potential trade value for Carey Price.
In hindsight, it is truly sad how things have ended for Carey Price, but unfortunately, it was inevitable because of his knee.
Credit: Marqueur.com
Transaction impliquant Carey Price chez le Canadien: du nouveau
POLL | ||
JUIN 12 | 796 ANSWERS Major update on a potential trade involving Carey Price and his large contract What would your reaction be if the Canadiens traded Carey Price's contract? | ||
Sad | 157 | 19.7 % |
Business is business | 639 | 80.3 % |
List of polls |