A legend is being traded from the only team he’s ever known.
Well, his contract, at least.
Price, whose contract expires after the season, will help the Sharks reach the salary floor. The goalie, currently on long-term injured reserve, has not played since 2022 due to a significant knee injury and is not expected to again.
The 38-year-old from Anahim Lake, B.C., spent his entire 15-season NHL career with the Canadiens, posting a 361-261-79 record across 712 regular-season games with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. In 92 playoff appearances, he added a 43-25 record along with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.
Drafted fifth overall by Montreal in 2005, Price went on to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (2021-22), as well as the Hart Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, Vezina Trophy and William M. Jennings Trophy for his remarkable 2014-15 season, when he posted 44 wins, a .933 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average.
He signed his eight-year, $84-million contract on July 2, 2017.
As a result of the trade, the Canadiens now have just over $4.56 million in cap space. The move comes after the Canadiens paid Price a $5.5-million signing bonus on Sept. 1, leaving $2 million for the Sharks to cover over the remainder of the season.
Laroque, 22, played nine AHL games last season with the San Jose Barracuda, recording one goal and one assist. The Sharks selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.
A native of Edmonton, Laroque has one year remaining on his three-year, entry-level deal, which carries a cap hit of $836,667 in the NHL and sees him earn $80,000 in the minors.