As has been speculated throughout the week, the Sharks have officially acquired Carey Price’s contract from the Montreal Canadians. Along with Carey Price's contract, the Sharks are receiving a 2026 5th-round draft pick and sending defense prospect Gannon Laroque to the Habs.
The Future Hall of Famer is unofficially retired, so this trade does not impact the Sharks on the ice. But it does have implications that could come into play this season. With the Price Contract, the Sharks now have $9 million in cap space, well above the cap floor. Had the Sharks not taken on the contract, they would have been close to the floor, making it hard to move off deals at the deadline while being cap compliant. This gives the Sharks more options if they once again are in the basement come the trade deadline. And a free 5th round pick is not a bad grab either.
In return, the Sharks are sending defense prospect Gannon Laroque. A former 4th-round pick by the Sharks in 2021, Laroque actually showed some promise in his D+1 season in the WHL. Unfortunately for Laroque, he has managed just 22 games over the last 3 seasons between both Junior and pro hockey due to injury. Derailing his development and likely any chance he has of an NHL career.
It is surprising not to see the Sharks send another contract back to the Habs in this trade. With 49 contracts, the Sharks cannot currently roster both Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson. Dumping an extra contract to the Habs would have solved this problem, but perhaps Grier and co are looking at other possibilities for clearing that extra roster space.
With this trade now complete, the next thing on the Sharks ' to-do list should be Michael Misa’s ELC, but I don’t expect that to be too far out with Misa already in San Jose, preparing for camp.