The Canadiens' woes persist as they continue their tailspin, and things do not seem to be improving in the standings. Even though they defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Saturday, it is not much consolation, as the team's star goalie, Carey Price, is still suffering from a leg injury he sustained on Oct. 29 of last year. With the team's slim chance of making the playoffs, would it be a better idea for Carey Price to sit out the rest of the year instead of causing permanent damage due to an early return?
As it stands now, coach Michel Therrien does not have any timeline for when Price could play again.
#Habs Therrien says Price is not into the next stage of his rehab and has no updated timeline for his return just yet.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) February 5, 2016
The Canadiens' organization has been especially quiet about any information regarding the injury.
"We all believe it's an MCL sprain of the right knee. It's not confirmed. The Canadiens haven't said anything. But that's what we think it is," suggested Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, according to Today's Slapshot's Chris Nichols. "I reported, and I've been told it's true, that it really got bad when they were in Edmonton earlier this year and he stepped on a puck in the warmup."
The Canadiens reportedly did not wish to get surgery done and instead opted for rehab after consulting with doctors. The team has been criticized because of this, but Price went for a second opinion and was also told that rehab would be better, according to Nichols. He then went for a third opinion and was told the same thing.
"I'm under the impression if he played any other position, he'd be playing right now. But because of what a goalie has to do with his knee, he's not," Friedman said. "I don't know. Honestly, the Canadiens are keeping this so quiet. Nobody knows. But I think you have to be under the impression that it's possible he doesn't play again this year."
"The season is lost. It's time to start planning for the next season, and the season after. Price needs to be part of that future. Let him rest and recover. Do what is best for the player, since that is what's best for the team in the long run as well," said Zeb from Habs Eyes On The Prize.
If Price takes the rest of the year off though, he would most likely also miss the World Cup, which is a tournament sanctioned by the NHL and would feature the world's best players.
He is an important player to the Canadiens, and seeing as how the season is most likely lost, the Canadiens have two choices. They can let Price heal, try to obtain a high draft pick, and make some trades before the deadline, or they can keep fighting, as they are not out of the playoff picture yet and have not been losing games by large margins. The win Saturday could be a turning point.
