Carey Price

In 2017, Price signed a reported eight-year, 84 M$ extension with an annual cap hit of 10,5 M$. Over subsequent seasons, its value and duration prompted recurring debate about the contract's worth; ESPN notably ranked it in 2020 as Montreal's worst-value contract. After his serious knee injury, he remained on long-term injured reserve, prolonging salary-cap management debates until the contract expired in 2026.

State of the evidence

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Directly implicated

In June 2023, TVA Sports journalist Élizabeth Rancourt said on a podcast that, in her opinion, Carey Price no longer genuinely enjoyed hockey and mainly wanted to return to western Canada to hunt and fish. Her remarks sharply divided supporters and were widely reported in Quebec.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

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Directly implicated

Price posted a photograph with a firearm and declared his support for the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights in its opposition to Bill C-21. The post, published close to the anniversary of the Polytechnique massacre, provoked a strong reaction, particularly as the group he supported had used a promotional code "POLY" considered offensive.

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Personally implicated

At the end of a very disappointing season, general manager Marc Bergevin said there had been problems with "attitude and performance" among several key players, a comment strongly associated with Price in the Montreal debate.

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Directly implicated

Price described the difficulty of living under constant scrutiny in Montreal using the image of a "hobbit in a hole", prompting considerable media discussion about his relationship with the city and the pressure associated with playing for the Canadiens.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

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Personally implicated

During the 2010 playoffs, Price received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against Washington, including an incident involving the puck after an opposing celebration and an intervention from the bench.

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Directly implicated

After Jaroslav Halak was traded, Price was booed during a preseason game in Montreal and publicly responded that fans should relax. His reaction added to media pressure over the Canadiens' decision to rely on him.

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Personally implicated

During game four of the 2009 series against Boston, Price was booed and sarcastically applauded by the Bell Centre crowd. After a routine save, he raised his arms towards the crowd in a gesture reminiscent of Patrick Roy's in 1995, fuelling controversy surrounding the young goaltender.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated