The San Jose Sharks have acquired the contract of veteran goaltender Carey Price from the Montreal Canadiens, as confirmed in an announcement on Friday. In addition to Price, the Canadiens will be sending a fifth-round draft pick in 2026 to San Jose in this trade. In return, Montreal has received minor-league defenseman Gannon Laroque.
Price, who is in the final year of an eight-year, $84 million deal, has been known for his composed presence in the goal and signature windmill glove saves. The 38-year-old goalie, originally from Anahim Lake, B.C., has effectively retired from professional hockey. Price last played in the Canadiens’ 2021-22 season finale, securing a 10-2 victory on April 29, 2022, before being sidelined by a knee injury.
During his career with the Canadiens, Price set numerous records, becoming the winningest goaltender in the franchise’s history with 315 victories by March 12, 2019. His regular-season stats include a 361-261-79 record, 49 shutouts, a .917 save percentage, and a 2.51 goals-against average. In playoff games, Price maintained a .919 save percentage and a 2.39 goals-against average over 92 appearances.
Although Price did not clinch a Stanley Cup victory, he led the Canadiens to the 2021 final, where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. Notably, Price was honored with the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie in the 2014-15 season.
Gannon Laroque, a 22-year-old defenseman drafted by the Sharks in the fourth round in 2021, split his time between the American Hockey League and ECHL during the 2023-24 season. However, he did not see any game time in the 2024-25 season. This trade has allowed the Canadiens to free up approximately $4.5 million under the NHL’s salary cap, according to PuckPedia.