Music: {allcanada} AGENT: 'PRICE CONTRACT PROGRESSING, STILL WORK TO DO'

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

{allcanada} AGENT: 'PRICE CONTRACT PROGRESSING, STILL WORK TO DO'

Talk of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price "going on strike" appear to be a bit premature.

In an interview with RDS, Price's agent Gerry Johannson says that negotiations between the Canadiens and his client continue to progress, however he admits there is plenty of work to do before a deal can be announced. Johannson told RDS he hopes the next few days can be productive and his client will have a deal in hand, ready to start training camp.

A restricted free agent, Price has been unable to come to terms with the Canadiens on a new contract with one online source reporting that the 23-year old netminder was ready to "go on strike" if he did not receive a deal worth a reported $3 million a year.

The Anahim Lake, British Columbia native was thrust into the starters role after the Candiens dealt playoff hero Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues earlier in the summer for prospects Lars Eller and Ian Schultz. As insurance the Habs also signed goaltenders Alex Auld and Curtis Sanford while trading for Finnish netminder Kari Ramo.

Price suffered through a second straight mediocre season last year, posting a 13-20-5 record with a 2.77 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. He also appeared in four playoff games, sporting a 3.56 goals against average and an .890 save percentage.