Canadiens caught off guard by Carey Price’s bold new request

PUBLICATION

David St-Jean
May 3, 2026  (6:42)

SHARE THIS STORY

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Carey Price just sent Kent Hughes a message that didn't need a translator. The retired Montreal Canadiens goaltender wants back inside the building, this time with a whistle.

Speaking at a conference in Moncton days ago, Price said publicly he'd love to become a goaltending coach. The 38-year-old isn't done with the game.

And when Carey Price says something out loud, it's never an accident.

This was aimed straight at Kent Hughes and the Montreal front office. A retired franchise goalie doesn't float a job pitch in the middle of nowhere by mistake.

Price wants to teach. He wants to stay close to the crease. And he wants to do it in the only organization he's ever played for.

The Canadiens just wrapped 48-24-10 for 106 points, third in the Atlantic, with a goal differential of plus-27. The crease isn't broken. But it's not bulletproof either.

Jakub Dobes carried real weight this year. Twenty wins in 43 games, a .901 save percentage at age 24. He's the present.

Jacob Fowler is the future. The 21-year-old American posted a .908 save percentage in 17 NHL appearances and grabbed his first shutout. That's a kid who needs the right voice in his ear.

Samuel Montembeault, meanwhile, finished at .873 in 25 games. Not the season anyone in the room wanted.

So the question lands on Hughes' desk: is there actually a chair open for Price? A development role in Laval? A Roberto Luongo-style mentor seat at the NHL level?

Price also told the Moncton crowd he tried a comeback last year before his knee shut it down. He's currently playing left wing in beer league. Yes, left wing.

That's a man who clearly misses the rink. Pretending otherwise would be silly.

The Canadiens own his Hall of Fame résumé. A Hart, a Vezina, a Jennings, 712 games, 361 wins. You don't let that walk to Florida or Seattle to mentor someone else's prospects.

If Hughes says no, or slow-plays it, Price has options around the league. The locker room he built equity in is in Montreal. The leverage isn't.

Now Hughes has to decide whether the most decorated goalie of the cap era gets a desk, or gets to keep waiting.

-

Previously

Travel nightmare hits Canadiens just hours before decisive Game 7

Major boost for Canadiens as Noah Dobson looms for Game 7

A fresh GM candidate just emerged in Vancouver and the clock is ticking

POLL

1 HOUR AGO   |   72 ANSWERS Canadiens caught off guard by Carey Price’s bold new request Should Kent Hughes hire Carey Price as a goalie development coach right now?

▢    Yes

▢    No

MUST READ

17 minutes ago  |  By Danny Potvin NHL moves Habs Bolts Game 7 despite travel chaos

2 hours ago  |  By Danny Potvin Travel nightmare hits Canadiens just hours before decisive Game 7

2 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Major boost for Canadiens as Noah Dobson looms for Game 7

5 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet A fresh GM candidate just emerged in Vancouver and the clock is ticking

6 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet This is officially the most ridiculous call of the year

7 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet New Bruins GM: A fresh name is out and fans aren't ready for it

8 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet A vicious play in Round 2 just put a suspension squarely on the table

9 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Nick Suzuki just fired some serious shots at the Tampa Bay Lightning

MORE STORIES