Canadiens' Price: 'I don't have a plan to retire right at this moment'

Breathe a sigh of relief, Montreal Canadiens fans: Carey Price isn't calling it a career just yet.

"We'll have to really just take it step by step," the injured goaltender told reporters in a press conference Monday. "I don’t have a plan to retire right at this moment.

"My first goal is to get healthy," he added. "Once I do that, then I can start considering being able to train at a professional level. Right now, I cannot train at a professional level. So once I get to that, then I'll consider (coming back)."

Price, who reiterated his desire to be pain-free, underwent knee surgery in the summer of 2021 following his incredible performance during the Canadiens' march to the Stanley Cup Final. As a result, he wasn't able to make his 2021-22 season debut until mid-April and was limited to five games.

The veteran admitted that his slow recovery has been mentally challenging, but he wouldn't change a thing about his career or how he played the demanding position.

"Right now, goaltenders are better than they've ever been. They're that way because they play the way they do," he said. "It's a competitive world out there, everybody wants to be here at the end of the day. I don't think there's a kid out there that wouldn't sacrifice anything to be here.

"It's part of the cost that you pay. I've paid it. If I were to do it all over again, would I do it? You know I would."

The 35-year-old is continuing to try and stay positive, but he is aware that he might have played his last game in a Canadiens sweater.

"It's something that you digest, and I don't think I've fully done that yet, to be honest," he said. "There's that outside hope of a miracle happening, that I could maybe come back and play at some point, but I've always been a bit of an optimist.

"I'm not giving up, I'm definitely not giving up on winning a Stanley Cup in some aspect, whatever position that would be."

Price hinted there will be some opportunities for him to get involved with the organization at some level this season, but he opted to stay mum on the details.

For now, with his 15-year playing career on pause indefinitely, Price is feeling an "overwhelming sense of gratitude" for the fans.

"I just can't believe how fast it's gone by. I'm really envious of all these young players coming into the league now," he said. "The league is better than it's ever been. They're just very lucky to be here, and I'm very envious of them."