Carey Price is gone: time to bring in a second center

For the first time since 2005, Carey Price is no longer a member of the Canadiens organization, having been traded to the Sharks. And even if it was just a formality, it's now official:a new page has been turned in the city.Of course, the reason it was done was to give the club a boost in terms under the cap. And what about Gannon Laroque? If he's injured and doesn't play, his salary doesn't really hurt. And if he does play, his cap hit of $836,667 is well hidden in the minors. So, in my eyes, everyone wins. After all, as we speak, theCanadiens find themselves with $4.56 million under the salary cap.

Trading Price's contract now gives the Canadiens just over $4.56M in cap space. The Sharks now have just over $9.2M in cap space

– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 5, 2025

As our colleague Maxime Truman said in a piece where he talked about the Price deal in relation to another potential acquisition, the Habs can go out and get even more. How? By starting the season with 22 guys instead of 23 on the roster. Let's go a step further: if the Habs are going to get one more player, they can also give up a guy to Laval and free up even more salary. And that brings us to our next point: the Habs are now in a position to make a move.

Finally!

Now, the offensive player…

https://t.co /MyauXNorKO –Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) September 5, 2025

Many people have linked Price's departure to a potential arrival. I'm not saying that Kent Hughes is going to go and get “little McTavish in Anaheim” and give him a bridge contract… but he can now do it.The first domino has fallen, in any case.

'prolongation'

– Now that Price is no longer a member of the organization, he shouldn't be present at the Bell Centre for the opening game, as was the case before. Right?if he's inducted into the Hall of Fame in June 2026, when his contract hasn't expired yet… it'll be funny.