Carey Price skated Monday for the first time since returning from a leave of absence, Montreal Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme said Wednesday.
Price, who entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program on Oct. 7, rejoined his Canadiens teammates Nov. 9. The goalie, who said he was treated for substance use, previously met with trainers to examine his surgically repaired knee.
"Carey went on the ice a couple of days ago, so he's doing better and he's on the program there," Ducharme said. "He's following the plan."
Price, who skated by himself, did not accompany Montreal on its three-game road trip, which ended with a 3-2 loss at the New York Rangers on Tuesday, and it's unclear when he will return to practice with the team or to the lineup.
Montreal (4-12-2) hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN2, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
"I think he's got too many things to do right now before getting into [his return]," Ducharme said last week. "He needs to get back in the gym. He had an injury that the therapists are happy to see where he's at right now with that, so he needs to get back to work and do specific work on that. That's the first step he needs to do."
Price, who had offseason knee surgery, was 13-9 with a 2.28 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and one shutout in 22 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, helping the Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning the Cup in 1993. They lost the best-of-7 series in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"Over the last few years I have let myself get to a very dark place and I didn't have the tools to cope with that struggle," Price said Nov. 9 in a statement released by the Canadiens. "Last month I made the decision to enter a residential treatment facility for substance use. Things had reached a point that I realized I needed to prioritize my health for both myself and for my family. Asking for help when you need it is what we encourage our kids to do. And it was what I needed to do."
Jake Allen (4-8-1, 2.78 GAA, .905 save percentage) has started 14 games for the Canadiens this season; Sam Montembeault (0-3-1, 3.77 GAA, .890 save percentage) has started four games. Cayden Primeau started the loss to the Rangers.
"I am working through years of neglecting my own mental health which will take some time to repair; all I can do is take it day by day," Price said. "With that comes some uncertainty with when I will return to play."
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