Price takes leave from Habs to enter player assistance program
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price will be away from the team while voluntarily taking part in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the league announced Thursday.
Price's wife, Angela, posted the following message on Instagram.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said Price will be away from the team for a minimum of 30 days but it "could be longer," according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.
"Today, I'm not thinking about Carey Price the goaltender," Bergevin said. "I'm thinking about Carey Price the human being."
Bergevin did say he's confident Price will be back at some point this season.
Support for the netminder poured in from his teammates following their preseason clash against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.
"You look at him as kind of this superman, and it's really unfair to put that on him just because he's a great hockey player. But he does so many things right," Brendan Gallagher said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.
"When he looked at himself, and he realized he needed to make a decision to become a better man for himself, it was a bit of a surprise. But you fully respect him, and it's just such a courageous decision that he made. He has this whole locker room's utmost respect."
Price, 34, was integral in helping the Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Final last season, posting a .924 save percentage in 22 playoff games.
Jake Allen will likely handle starting duties until Price is able to return. The 31-year-old has started 298 games in his career and owns a .912 save percentage.
The recently acquired Sam Montembeault and 2017 seventh-round pick Cayden Primeau make up the depth behind Price and Allen.