Victoria Royals graduate Gannon Laroque joins Canadiens as San Jose acquires Carey Price’s contract in a cap space move.
Major Trade Announcement
On Friday, the San Jose Sharks finalized a deal sending defenceman Gannon Laroque to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for legendary goaltender Carey Price’s contract and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The unusual transaction highlights the balance between roster building and salary cap management in today’s NHL.
The Young Defenceman’s Journey
Laroque, 21, spent four seasons with the Victoria Royals between 2019 and 2023, logging 91 games and serving as team captain in his final year. Drafted by San Jose in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, he has since split time between the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda and the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder. Now, he has an opportunity to compete for a role on a deep Canadiens blue line featuring Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, David Reinbacher, and Kaiden Guhle.
The Price Factor
Carey Price, 38, has not played since 2022 due to a serious knee injury. Despite his absence from the ice, his $10.5-million annual contract remained on Montreal’s books under long-term injured reserve. While Price is not expected to return to play, his career remains celebrated: 712 games played, a 2021 Stanley Cup Final run, and a trophy case that includes the Hart, Vezina, Ted Lindsay, Jennings, and Masterton awards.
Salary Cap Strategy
For San Jose, the trade is largely a financial maneuver. By acquiring Price’s deal, which carries a $10.5-million cap hit but only $2 million in actual salary, the Sharks free up more than $9.2 million in cap flexibility while adding a draft pick. Montreal, in turn, clears approximately $4.57 million in cap space, positioning themselves for greater in-season roster moves.
Why the Trade Makes Sense
Though unconventional, the move benefits both clubs. The Canadiens gain a promising young defenceman with leadership credentials and room to develop, while the Sharks leverage Price’s contract to create cap space and stockpile future assets. For Laroque, the deal provides a chance to make his mark in Montreal, where the competition on the blue line is fierce but full of opportunity.
Looking Ahead
As Montreal reshapes its roster and San Jose continues its rebuild, this trade underscores how player development and financial management intertwine in modern hockey. For Laroque, it marks the next step in a career that began in Victoria — and for Carey Price, it represents the final chapter of a Hall of Fame-worthy legacy.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
