There is still a dark cloud over Carey Price’s head. A threatening cloud, but which remains more than the height of his knee.
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Price accompanied his teammates for the trip to New York, but he did not stow his leg warmers and mask in the plane’s baggage hold. He headed to Manhattan to meet the surgeon who operated on his knee on July 23.
Once once more, the state of health of the star goalkeeper represents a source of concern in the environment of the Canadian. But we are walking on eggshells.
Prudence
Martin St-Louis played it safe during a press conference on Tuesday, during which the majority of questions revolved around the famous knee of number 31.
The head coach of the Canadian refused to say he was alarmed for his player.
“It’s hard to say,” he replied when asked regarding his level of concern. He will continue to be evaluated. It’s hard to comment on that until we have the information. »
long-term work
Price had worked hard to return to the game this season. On April 15, he achieved his goal by earning his first start since the Stanley Cup Final once morest the Tampa Bay Lightning— once morest the New York Islanders. In a span of nine days, he put his body to the test by finding himself in front of the net four times.
He didn’t win a game, posting a blistering 4.04 GAA and .853 save percentage. Beyond the figures that are not representative of his talent, but also a too small sample, Price has not managed to dispel doubts regarding his health.
A relapse?
“I don’t know if I can call it a relapse,” continued St-Louis. He will go to New York to be evaluated. I don’t know if it’s a relapse, but I’m happy to see that he was able to play. We’ll see what the next few days bring. »
“Yes, it hurts to see that,” he continued. He worked hard to come back. But maybe everything is correct. We do not know. »
In this miserable season, Price’s return was rare good news. But the good news quickly evaporated. For the CH, this is another blow.
“Is it demoralizing? Yes. I thought it was a big plus for him to come back to the game following fighting to achieve it. We knew that with Price who was to get starts, he wouldn’t have a smooth ride. It was one of the possibilities. This is where we end up and it is for this reason that we will assess his case. »
Photo Agency QMI, Joël Lemay
St-Louis quickly diverted the subject of the future of his goalkeeper.
“It’s more a question for Kent [Hughes, le directeur général] or Gorts [Jeff Gorton, le patron des opérations hockey] he replied when a colleague asked if the organization was starting to make plans for a successor.
Another story from Anderson
If St-Louis has stayed away from an alarmist discourse, Josh Anderson has opened up his game a little more.
” Yes there is [des inquiétudes], recognized the striker. We’re talking regarding Carey Price. He’s been here forever. He is one of the best in the NHL. When you hear this news, there are worries. We’ll see what will happen. »
Communication normale
Price’s visit to his doctor might be part of a simple routine.
“I think it’s mostly an update,” Anderson said. Every time you come back from an operation, there are meetings with the doctors. I’ve been there before. »
In his final season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Anderson appeared in only 26 games due to a left shoulder injury. He had surgery in March 2020. When he returned to play, in a CH uniform for the start of the following season, the big winger kept in touch with his surgeon.
“I spent a lot of time on the phone with my doctor,” he said. He was very good with me. I had never had an injury like this. I provided him with information on the condition of my shoulder almost every week. »
Worrying signals
José Théodore was talking regarding red flags and the worst possible scenario in his Tuesday column regarding Carey Price. He is not the only former goalkeeper to wonder regarding the future of number 31.
Patrick Lalime is also part of this group.
“I’ve been worried for a while,” said the former Senators goaltender, now an analyst at TVA Sports. It was a big moment for Carey. He had mentioned it himself before his return that it was a big test. In Saturday’s game once morest the Ottawa Senators, I was talking regarding it. I didn’t feel it 100%, the way he moved his leg following the stops. There was discomfort with his knee. »
Frustration visible
In Ottawa, Price allowed six goals in a second straight game. He was not a shadow of himself.
“Knowing Carey, I might see that it frustrated him, affirmed Lalime. But that was more than the goals he might give. He is a top athlete. He has high standards. I felt especially that he was disappointed with the reaction of his body. Even though he’s Carey Price, he needs to stay healthy to do his job. »
“As a former goalie, I know what he’s going through. When you come back from an injury, it always stays in your head. You always have doubts. You want to get answers during training and then during games. It’s frustrating when the pain doesn’t go away. Normally, it comes back with rehearsals. »
The Rask and Bishop cases
In Boston, Tuukka Rask chose to hang up his leggings in February following a career spanning 15 seasons. The 35-year-old Finn has played four games this season with the Bruins following hip surgery. Unable to return to a level he deemed acceptable, he opted for retirement.
Ben Bishop of the Dallas Stars experienced a similar phenomenon. The 35-year-old announced his retirement last December due to a degenerative problem in his right knee.
Could Price add his name to this list of newly retired goalies?
“We don’t have all the data, claimed Lalime. However, this possibility should not be ruled out. As long as there is no certainty in his head that he can return to full form, he will ask himself questions. »
Canadian formation in training
Attackers
- Hoffman – Suzuki – Caufield
- R. Pitlick – Evans – Gallagher
- T. Pitlick – Dvorak – Anderson
- Dauphin – Poehling/Perreault – Pezzetta
Defenders
- Edmundson – Petry
- Romanov – Savard
- Harris – Wideman
- Lagesson – Clague
Guardians
- Montembeault
- They received