The Montreal Canadiens finally found a trade partner when it came to their star goaltender. On Friday, the Canadiens traded goaltender Carey Price of Vancouver, British Columbia to the San Jose Sharks with a fifth round pick in the 2026 National Hockey League Entry Draft for prospect defenseman Gannon Laroque of Edmonton, Alberta.
Who is Gannon Laroque?
The big questions Montreal Canadiens are asking at this time is who is Gannon Laroque, and did the Canadiens get anything in this deal of any substance?
Laroque is a defenseman who was the Sharks’s fourth round pick, 103rd overall, in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He played with the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League, and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons and Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. As a professional hockey player, he was with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League and the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL.
However, the big story surrounding Laroque, ironically like Price, is his health. He did not play a single game during the 2024-25 season because of double hip surgery. Laroque’s future with the Canadiens is in question.
Gannon Laroque has been dealing with major injury issues since turning pro, including double hip surgery in 2022 and missing all of 2024-25. He might never play again.
— Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) September 5, 2025
No, there is no relation between Gannon Laroque, and the former Edmonton Oilers enforcer Georges Laraque. Even though Gannon was born in Edmonton while Georges was playing for the Oilers, their last names have different spelling.
Doubtful Price will ever play in San Jose
There is a famous song by Dionne Warwick in 1968, titled “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” Don’t expect Price to ever to try to get there himself anytime soon, because he has not played in the NHL since 2021-22 due to physical and mental health issues.
The Canadiens made this deal because Price has one year left on his contract where he is set to earn $10.5 million. The Sharks, which are in the process of rebuilding, had cap space available, and got a draft pick from the transaction.
When Price was in his prime, he was fantastic. Twice he led the NHL in wins (38 in 2010-11, and 44 in 2014-15). He also led the NHL in goals against average (1.96) and a save percentage (.933) in 2014-15.
Team Grades
I am giving both teams a C grade. The Canadiens could have got more than the unpredictable Gannon, while teams that add players just to fill cap space, does not really strengthen their relationship with their fan base.
