Canadiens' Carey Price waives no-move clause ahead of expansion draft

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetJuly 17, 2021 - 8:43pm

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price makes a save during second period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Montreal, Monday, May 24, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/CP)

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has waived his no-move clause ahead of the expansion draft, making him eligible to be claimed by the Seattle Kraken, Sportsnet’s Eric Engels can confirm.

Confirmed this is the case. Hat tip to @frank_seravalli on his initial report it was discussed. A bold decision here, no doubt. https://t.co/y7TFb0rwEf

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 18, 2021

Price, whose playoff heroics were an essential factor in Montreal reaching the Stanley Cup Final this season, is in the fourth year of an eight-year contract that carries an annual cap hit of $10.5 million.

During Montreal’s run to the Cup Final, Price started all 22 games. The 33-year-old registered a sterling 2.28 goals-against average and .924 save percentage, as well as one shutout. In the regular season, Price appeared in 25 games, going 12-7-5 with a 2.64 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.

Price waiving his no-move clause would allow the Canadiens to protect Jake Allen during the expansion draft, while banking on Price’s salary deterring the Kraken from claiming him. He is also owed an $11-million signing bonus in September.

Of note on the Carey Price situation: He's owed an $11M signing bonus in September — a big upfront payout if #seakraken claim him.

Price also only waived his NMC for expansion purposes. So he can't be claimed and flipped in a subsequent trade without his consent.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 18, 2021

Allen, who signed with Montreal last off-season, posted an 11-12-5 record with a 2.68 goals-against average and .907 save percentage during his debut Canadiens campaign.

Uncertainty over whether or not Price will play for Montreal next season marks the latest surprising turn in an eventful off-season for the Canadiens.

Shortly after extending Dominique Ducharme, the team’s head coach who helped engineer Montreal’s return to the Final for the first time since 1993, news broke that team captain Shea Weber’s career was being threatened by lingering foot and ankle problems.

The expansion draft takes place next Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, and can be seen live on Sportsnet.

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