Bergevin has made it clear during his May 2 introduction as the Canadiens' new GM that signing Price and defenseman P.K. Subban were top priorities, along with finding the club its new head coach.
The Gazette claims Price's Edmonton-based agent, Gerry Johannson, has held a couple of cordial talks with Bergevin, and is optimistic serious discussions will begin in due course.
"I'm pretty confident we'll get something done," Price told the paper. "I'm really not the type of guy who's going to push everything to get (a contract) done faster. We're trying to build a team here and we want to build it the right way. Rushing decisions isn't the right way to do it."
Price, who suffered a concussion and compressed spine that sidelined him the last four games of the regular season, is now healthy and excellent shape, looking to compete in some rodeo circuit events and riding his three horses this summer.
"I feel really good," he said. "I was good when I left Montreal. I wanted to make sure I was all squared away before I left the (Montreal) treatment centres that are readily available to me. I didn't want to come out here and go to (medical) people I don't know, so I stayed until I was symptom-free and cleared by the doc. I was working out pretty hard by the time I left."
In 65 games with the Habs this season, Price registered a .916 save percentage and 2.43 goals-against average.
