The San Jose Sharks pulled off one of the most unique moves of the offseason. They acquired Carey Price’s contract and a 2026 fifth-round pick from the Montreal Canadiens. The Sharks sent defenseman Gannon Laroque to Montreal. Price will never play in teal. His career ended after the 2021-22 season. However, his $10.5 million cap hit gives San Jose added flexibility and protection as they manage their roster through the rebuild.
Why the Sharks Made the Trade
The NHL salary cap is rising, with the floor set at $70.6 million for 2025-26. The Sharks are already above that number. However, Price’s contract adds a buffer. It gives San Jose protection if they move out veterans on expiring deals during the season.
General Manager Mike Grier no longer has to rush into long-term signings. Likewise, he doesn’t have to overspend on veterans. Instead, he can use the contract as a safety net. They can focus on the rebuild around Macklin Celebrini and the young core.
Short-Term Contracts Everywhere
The Sharks also loaded up on one-year deals this summer. Forwards Jeff Skinner and Philipp Kurashev, defenseman John Klingberg, and tough winger Ryan Reaves are all on expiring contracts.
San Jose also traded for goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic and claimed veteran defenseman Nick Leddy on waivers. Both are pending UFAs. Add potential free agents like Mario Ferraro, Alex Wennberg, Timothy Liljegren, Vincent Desharnais, and Carl Grundstrom. It’s clear the Sharks are keeping the roster flexible.
The Sharks’ Cap Picture
According to CapWages, San Jose’s current cap number is $86.2 million. That includes the $8 million of Logan Couture, who remains on the books through 2026-27 despite uncertainty about his playing future.
Ironically, the Sharks now carry two major contracts for players who may never skate again: Price and Couture. Earlier this offseason, they bought out Marc-Edouard Vlasic. They also still carry retained salary portions from the trades of Erik Karlsson and Tomas Hertl.
On paper, it looks messy. In reality, it gives San Jose options. Because of their abundance of cap space, they don’t need to place Couture on long-term injured reserve immediately. That flexibility helps Grier maneuver through the season.
What About Laroque?
The Canadiens are taking a chance on defenseman Gannon Laroque, but the odds are stacked against him. Drafted in the fourth round in 2021, he has undergone two hip surgeries and missed the entire 2024-25 season.
At 22, his development has stalled. There’s a real chance he never plays again at the NHL level. For San Jose, the trade cost is minimal. For Montreal, it’s a small bet on a player who once showed potential but may never return to form.
The Bigger Picture
For the Sharks, this trade is not about Price the player. It’s about cap stability, flexibility, and patience. They are building around Celebrini, William Eklund, and a wave of prospects. Eklund’s three-year extension, worth $5.6 million annually, does not kick in until 2026-27. That means the Sharks can afford to carry heavy contracts like Price’s while their young stars are still on affordable deals.
Meanwhile, Montreal finally closes the book on Carey Price. His contract was a financial anchor stuck on long-term injured reserve. Moving it clears the deck for the Canadiens as they continue their own rebuild.
Final Thoughts
On the surface, acquiring Carey Price looks like a shock. But in reality, it’s a savvy business move. San Jose hits the cap floor, adds a fifth-round pick, and keeps its rebuild flexible. Price’s playing days are over, but his contract still has value.
For the Sharks, it’s another creative step in reshaping the franchise. For the Canadiens, it’s closure on the career of one of their greatest goaltenders. In the end, both sides get what they need — even if Price and Laroque never play another game.
