Carey Price isn't losing sleep over the words he had nearly two weeks ago with defenceman Andrei Markov. The argument Markov sort of suggested didn't happen. The one forward Brian Gionta flatly said didn't take place.
What the Habs goalie does have a problem with, however, is that someone, presumably a teammate, "snitched," taking the discussion beyond the dressing room.
"It happens all the time on a team, disagreements happen on the bench every period," Price said after practice yesterday, closing the book on his exchange with Markov on Jan. 20 after the Canadiens' 4-3 overtime loss to St. Louis.
Reports last Wednesday had Markov questioned Price's heart, a charge not paraphrased but quoted verbatim.
The loss to St. Louis saw Price steamrolled by the Blues' Cam Janssen when the goalie strayed far from his net to play a puck. He dropped his blocker and trapper and tried in vain to duke it out with Janssen, only Canadiens defenceman Roman Hamrlik preventing Price from earning his first career major penalty and surely his first fighting loss.
"I think he's a pretty tough dude, so I'm not sure it was a good idea," Price joked of Janssen, adding that he believes a goalie should be fair game if he wanders. "I'd like to (fight) eventually. But obviously, timing is everything." On a more serious note, yesterday was the first time Price has addressed his words with Markov, one more example of sizzle over substance in reporting about the Canadiens.
"I don't know why this was such a big deal. I'm sure everybody gets into a disagreement with their mom or dad, and they get over it. You saw it with the hug last week (Price playfully embraced Markov last Thursday at the end of practice). We've moved past it. http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Bounces+come+Price/2511477/story.html
PLAYER NEWS
Jeff Halpern, C/RW
2010/09/07: The Montreal Canadiens have signed Jeff Halpern to a one-year deal. The Canadiens didn't disclose the financial terms of the contract. Halpern scored nine goals and 19 points in 71 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings last season. (Source: Montreal Gazette)
Carey Price, G
2010/09/03: Carey Price's new contract with the Montreal Canadiens is worth $5.5 million over two years. Price will earn $2.5 million this season and $3 million in 2011-12. When the contract expires, he will still be under the Canadiens control, but he will have arbitration rights. Price will begin the season as Montreal's number one goaltender and he'll face considerable pressure to perform, especially if former Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak excels in St. Louis. (Source: Montreal Gazette)
Carey Price, G
2010/09/02: Carey Price has signed a two-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens. The financial terms are not yet known, but it is believed that Price will make between $5.25 million and $5.5 million over the life of this contract. Montreal traded away Jaroslav Halak, making Carey Price the clear number one goaltender going into the season. However, the Canadiens did ink a veteran goaltender in Alexander Auld to serve as Price's understudy and if Price gets off to a rough start, Auld could eat into his playing time. (Source: Montreal Gazette)
Carey Price, G
2010/09/01: Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens are continuing to progress in their contract negotiations, according to Price's agent Gerry Johannson. However, he added that there is still plenty of work to do before anything concrete can be finalized. Reports that the RFA netminder would go on "strike" if he does not receive a deal that pays him $3 million a year appear to be a bit premature, but stay tuned for updates. (Source: TSN.ca)
Carey Price, G
2010/08/31: CBC-Montreal reporter Michel Godbout says that a "very very reliable source" has told him that restricted free agent Carey Price will "strike" if Montreal doesn't give him a contract worth $3 million per season. Take this story with more than just a grain of salt, but it's worth noting that former Montreal goaltender Jaroslav Halak's deal with St. Louis will pay him an average of $3.75 million per season over the next four years. Of course, despite Price's upside, Halak does have the better track record. We'll keep you posted. (Source: Montreal Gazette)
Andrei Markov, D
2010/08/30: Andrei Markov (knee surgery) has begun skating by himself, according to RDS. He was hurt during Montreal's second-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Markov required surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and he is projected to miss the first six to eight weeks of the regular-season. (Source: Habs Inside/Out)
Jarred Tinordi, D
2010/08/17: Montreal prospect Jarred Tinordi was introduced to the London media on Monday. The Canadiens' first-round pick (22nd overall) in the 2010 draft chose to suit up for the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights over playing NCAA puck with Notre Dame this coming season. "You look at a program and an organization like the London Knights and the way they develop players," said Tinordi. "It's a great city with great fans and it's a great place for me to develop as a player and get to the next level." (Source: Sun Media)
Karri Ramo, G
2010/08/16: The Montreal Canadiens have acquired the rights to goaltender Karri Ramo from Tampa Bay in a trade that sends minor-league goaltender Cedrick Desjardins to the Lightning. Ramo has decided to stay in Russia for the upcoming 2010-11 campaign after posting a 21-17-4 record with 2.11 GAA and a .913 save percentage with Avangard Omsk in the KHL last season. (Source: AHL.com)
Words between teammates aren't a big deal unless it is in a true hockey city, TOR, MTL,CGY etc., Mtl best not trade Price it will come back to haunt them!!!
