Carey Price Re-Signs With Canadiens

After trading last year's playoff sensation, Jaroslav Halak, to the St. Louis Blues, it seemed set in stone that Montreal would use Carey Price as their No. 1 goaltender.

All they had to do was sign him.

They did that Thursday, giving Price what is reported to be a two-year contract worth more than $5 million.

Price started his NHL career like a superstar in the making when he debuted in 2007, but fizzled badly in his second year, culminating with a dreadful performance against Boston that left him expressing his displeasure with Canadiens fans.

Instead of moving Price at any point, the Canadiens have stuck with the young goalie, and they moved this summer to commit to Price as their top guy.

Considering what Halak did for this team in playoff series wins over Washington and Pittsburgh, it's a very interesting decision. Montreal signed veteran Alex Auld to back Price up, and unlike with Halak, there seems to be no serious threat of Auld becoming a starter for any length of time as long as Price is healthy.

Price, 23, says he learned from his time on the bench as Montreal made the Eastern Conference Finals.

"It was definitely challenging for me," Price said. "It's never easy not playing, but being able to learn lessons like that at a young age definitely helped. I learned ice time just isn't given to you, it's earned, and this past season really kind of instilled that in me."

It remains to be seen if these lessons will make Price a better goaltender. Halak developed a real following in Montreal during the spring, and Price may find out it's not very easy to step in and replace a guy who became a rock star. Montreal fans have a long memory, and if Price struggles, they're not likely to let management forget their decision to trade Halak and anoint Price the undisputed No. 1 goalie.