SAN JOSE, CA. — As the final horn sounds on the 2025-26 NHL season, it also marks the official conclusion of one of the most storied contracts in modern hockey history. Carey Price, the generational talent who redefined the goaltending position, sees his eight-year, $84 million deal officially expire with the San Jose Sharks this summer.
While Price spent the final year of his deal on the Sharks’ Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) following a strategic cap trade from the Montreal Canadiens in September 2025, his legacy remains firmly rooted in the blue paint of the Bell Centre.
A Generational Legend
For nearly two decades, Price wasn’t just a goalie; he was a wall. Since being drafted 5th overall in 2005, he became the winningest goaltender in Montreal Canadiens history with 361 career wins. His 2014-15 season remains the stuff of legend, as he swept the Hart, Vezina, Ted Lindsay, and Jennings trophies—a feat rarely seen in the NHL.
Despite the knee injuries that eventually forced him away from the game after the 2021-22 season, fans never stopped hoping for one last «Carey miracle.»
The Missing Piece
The only shadow on a glittering career remains the elusive Stanley Cup. Price came agonizingly close in 2021, leading an underdog Montreal team to the Finals with a performance that many believe cemented his Hall of Fame status. Though he retires without a ring, he walks away with Olympic Gold, World Junior Gold, and the eternal respect of his peers.