Carey Price has finally been traded!

This just in on late Friday afternoon: The Canadiens acquire defenseman Gannon Laroque from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for goaltender Carey Price and a fifth-round pick in 2026.

The Habs are now looking to not operate in LTIR to open season after paying Price's signing bonus. San Jose has cap floor flexibility if they end up trading away players later.

Per NHL.com, Laroque is a 22-year-old right-handed blue-liner, played nine games in 2024-25 with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda, registering two points (1G, 1A). The Edmonton, AB native also took part in nine games in the ECHL with the Wichita Thunder. Laroque was selected in the fourth round (103rd overall) by the Sharks at the 2021 NHL Draft.

Price is in the final year of his eight-year, $84 million contract which holds a cap hit of $10.5 million. However, he is only owed $2 million in salary in 2025-26 after the Canadiens paid his $5.5 million signing bonus on Sept. 1.

The star goalie has not played since the 2021-22 season due to a significant knee injury, and only his contract is technically moving to San Jose.

By moving his contract, the Canadiens get under the salary cap before the start of the season, now having just over $4.56M in cap space.

Drafted fifth overall by Montreal back in 2005, Price was a seven-time All-Star and had a career 361-261-79 record with a 2.51 GAA and .917 save percentage. He also helped lead the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2021, going 13-9 with a 2.28 GAA and .924 save percentage before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning .

On the international stage, he backstopped Canada to gold at the 2007 World Juniors, winning tournament MVP and best goaltender honours. He also led Team Canada to gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.

Price entered his first year of eligibility for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.

This is the end of an era in Montreal.