Breaking: Price faces one game suspension

Montreal Canadiens superstar goaltender Carey Price has announced that he will NOT participate in the upcoming 2019 NHL All Star game in San Jose, California. 

By opting out, Price will join Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin as the only other player to decline the invitation and, as such, will be subject to a mandatory one game suspension from NHL regular season play.

Habs general manager Marc Bergevin made the announcement earlier today in a prepared statement through the team’s official website. Read below for the full statement”

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens announced that goaltender Carey Price will not be participating in the 2019 NHL All-Star Game.

"We took the time to discuss the situation with Carey and the medical group earlier today, and we all agreed that the best decision for him would be to rest and recuperate during the upcoming All-Star Break. Carey has had a nagging injury for some time, and we want to make sure to have him healthy and rested for the second half of the season. Carey is honored to once again have been named to the NHL All-Star Game, and he is on board with the Club's decision," said Montreal Canadiens general manager, Marc Bergevin.

The Anahim Lake, BC native was selected on January 2 as the Canadiens' representative for the 2019 NHL All-Star Game, presented on January 26 in San Jose, California. It is Price's sixth invitation, after taking part in the All-Star Game in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017.

Price, 31, displays a 16-11-4 record thus far this season, with a 2.76 goals-against average, and a .908 save percentage. He earned his 300th career win in the NHL on December 20, in Arizona.

Price is a five time All-Star, having been selected in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017. With his absence there’s a very good chance that the Habs will have no representative at the annual event. It’s likely that Toronto Maple Leafs starter Frederik Andersen will take Price’s spot with the Atlantic Division, but the decision will ultimately be in the hands of the NHL and commissioner Gary Bettman.