What to keep in mind if the Sharks get Carey Price

For 20 years, Carey Price has belonged to the Canadiens. There have been times in those 20 years when Habs fans have wanted to take the Canadian goaltender out of the organization and start afresh.2010 is a good example.But it never happened. Price the longest-serving contracted player in town… even though he hasn't played in the NHL on a regular basis for four years and hasn't played at all since 2022. That could obviously change soon. And my fear is that it will be announced within minutes of my post. Oneclub to keep an eye on is San Jose. We've known for a long time that the Sharks are in a good position to get the Canadiens' goaltender, who is now collecting his $5.5 million bonus. But there's something to note about the Sharks: if they want Carey Price, it's going to be a different discussion from the Penguins or the Blackhawks. Why? Because a club is entitled to 50 contracts. The Hawks (40) and the Penguins (46) have more than the Sharks, who have 49 contracts on their books, according to PuckPedia. So if the Canadiens, who have 43, want to send Price to California, the transaction will have to be different.

The San Jose Sharks are one contract away from the 50 limit and have not yet reached an agreement with Michael Misa.

AHL/ECHL players could thus be included in a trade around Carey Price's contract

– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) September 1, 2025

As Nicolas Cloutier mentions, Michael Misa could be the 50th contract. So picking up Price on top of that would mean the Sharks would have too many contracts, if nothing else changes. So concretely, what does it change?

• If the Sharks get Carey Price, they'd probably have to give the Habs a contract. It could be an AHL prospect with no real chance of ever making the NHL.
• The Canadiens should give the Sharks a pick or prospect who isn't on the 50-man contract list. Giving away a prospect who is one of the 50 deals wouldn't really be an option.

At the end of the day, it won't prevent a trade if it has to happen. But it does complicate matters a little for a club that would benefit from Price. To be continued.

'prolongation'

Let's not forget that, even if the transaction would benefit the Habs more at first glance, having a $10.5 M out of pocket would make it easier for the Sharks (or any other club that gets his contract) to liquidate salary at the deadline… That's an aspect not to be overlooked.