September 3, 2025 | 10:12am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

“WE DON’T HAVE TO TRADE PRICE,” SAYS HABS GM

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes

The Montreal Canadiens are looking to give themselves some salary cap relief and are exploring ways to do so, including the possibility of trading away goalie Carey Price’s contract. But a move is not yet considered close.

In an interview with Sportsnet, Habs GM Kent Hughes tried to calm speculation that a trade involving Price is on the horizon.

“I wouldn’t ever just expect anything to happen, because things don’t always happen when you want them to,” Hughes told Sportsnet’s Eric Engels. “But we’ll continue to explore ways to create cap flexibility.”

Yes, Hughes is weighing his options and moving Price and his $10.5 million cap hit would give the Canadiens the relief they need and seek. But as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported on Tuesday, the Habs are comfortable holding on to Price and placing him on LTIR, if need be, once the season begins.

“We’re fine, we don’t have to trade Carey Price,” Hughes stated. “If we can find a trade to move his contract that makes sense for us and makes sense for another team, we’ll pursue it. But we don’t have to.”

Price is in the final year of his contract and moving him could take pressure off some teams to spend extra money this season, but as Hughes indicated, he is not in desperate need of trading the contract.

Meanwhile, Hughes declined to comment on ongoing contract discussions with Lane Hutson’s camp.

Hutson, last season’s Calder Trophy winner as Rookie of the Year, is in the final year of his entry-level contract.

“I’d prefer to say nothing,” Hughes said. “We’ve always said nothing in terms of commenting on contracts, so we’ll work away on things. I’ve always believed that when people make comments, things get misinterpreted, expectations are created and false narratives. Like we’ve done with every other player, when the contract’s concluded, then we’ll announce it.”