It's a no win situation for Carey Price in Montreal. After an unpopular offseason trade that sent playoff and cult hero, Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues, Carey Price now feels the pressure to perform more than ever. It's not fair really, but as Don Cherry said on Hockey Night in Canada last night, Habs fans need to layoff Price.
After getting booed in Montreal's first pre-season game when he let in the first goal, one wonders if Carey Price intends to stay in Montreal past his recently signed two-year contract. Would you want to play in a place that criticizes your every move on and off the ice? Or in a place that will forever compare you to another player (Halak) who always seems to be one step ahead of you?
It can't be a comfortable situation for the young goalie. But Price is a talented young netminder who just needs some space from the media and fans. However, Montreal faithful and media are not known for their forgiving nature.
In fact, Price has had a couple of solid starts in Montreal's first two games, posting one win and 57 saves on 62 shots. But wait, over in St. Louis, Jaroslav Halak posted a win in his first start for the Blues, allowing only one goal on 30 shots. Yes, Halak was incredible for the Habs in last year's playoffs, but he is gone. Management traded Halak and showed their confidence in Price. Habs fans now need to do the same and get behind their goalie. After all, Price will undoubtedly be better off playing in front of fans that respect and support him.
If Price remains the constant whipping boy of Montreal fans and media, you can bet it will be a lot tougher to get him to sign an extension in 2012. Then the Canadiens will be out two number one netminders. So come on Habs fans, get behind your goalie.
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