There is a lot of chatter surrounding the Montreal Canadiens this week, some of it to do with lingering injury issues for goaltender Carey Price. Other talk surrounds captain Shea Weber who some fans are arguing should no longer be the captain because he no-showed an important event in Montreal Canadiens history.
Carey Price to Seek Medical Opinion
After finally returning to play on April 15, but not playing well since his return, it’s not clear if Carey Price will continue on with this season. He’s traveled with the team to New York, but he’s going to seek a consult about a nagging knee issue and is being listed as “day-to-day”. Based on how his meeting with his surgeon goes, Price might be calling it a day on the 2021-22 campaign.
Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette is reporting that this is not likely good news for the Canadiens and he doesn’t expect Price to return to the lineup this season. Cowan writes:
Price has only played four games since returning to the lineup on April 15, posting an 0-4 record with a 4.03 goals-against average and an .853 save percentage. In his last start — a 6-3 loss to the Senators last Saturday in Ottawa — Price allowed six goals on 26 shots for a .769 save percentage.
What happens if Price can’t go, or worse yet, there is a real issue with his knee? Cowan doesn’t expect Price to return. The goaltender still has four seasons remaining on a $10.5 million per season contract. He’s not walking away from that kind of money. If his injury isn’t bad, maybe a team like Vegas looks at him for next season, but the likelihood that Price will be traded is slim. Few teams are going to be eager to take on a player with his injury history. The only option might be to place him on long-term injury reserve next season.
Eric Engels of Sportsnet writes there will be no update coming today. If certain tests are required, that will offer up more insight as to what might be next.” Head coach Martin St. Louis said they knew Price’s return wouldn’t be smooth sailing and that’s why he’s getting checked out.
Shea Weber Taking Heat For Missing Lafleur Ceremony
For some reason, Shea Weber is being criticized by Canadiens’ fans, mostly because he missed the Guy Lafleur tribute at the Bell Centre. Arguments that he should have been there repping the team as the captain have somehow turned into a debate about stripping him of captaincy.
Under the assumption Weber is likely never returning to the NHL, neither Weber nor the Montreal Canadiens have officially addressed his role as captain moving forward.
Engels writes of the fans getting on Weber’s case:
Put me in the camp of people who don’t believe Shea Weber owes anyone anything. A bit embarrassing this has become something. He’s removed from the equation, captain of the Habs only in name. I’d love to speak to him as much as anyone, but he doesn’t owe that to me or anyone else.
Where do you sit on this? Was this a Weber issue, a Canadiens issue, or not an issue at all? There were a lot of people not in attendance at the ceremony. Why is Weber being singled out?
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