Latest Update on Carey Price and the Kraken Situation

Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis is the centre of attention this week as he selects the inaugural roster from the 30 NHL teams that do not include the Golden Knights.

The biggest dilemma facing Francis now is whether or not to select Carey Price, the Canadiens' elite goaltender, for this week's game. A lot of fans were surprised when Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin selected backup Jake Allen ahead of starter Carey Price, though I assume they thought Francis and the Kraken would shy away from selecting Price owing to his extremely high salary. On the other hand, this may pay off Bergevin's reports.

Following their investigation into Price's medical history, the Kraken discovered that the team's ownership had given Francis its entire support in selecting Price, even if it means absorbing his $11 million bonus that is scheduled to be paid out this summer.

More tidbits from Friedman:

"Something happened between Ron Francis and Marc Bergevin... and I believe the ask for Allen to not take him was a 2nd and a prospect and Bergevin said 'No.' I think what Montreal's plan was that Carey Price really liked working with Jake Allen and next year was going to be like a regular season split. A situation where Carey Price became the 1A in the regular season... and then was raring to go in the playoffs. And Price was signing off on that idea, now I don't know what happened here but it sounds like there's a little bit of bad blood from the conversations and that Montreal tried this move."

"I kind of wonder if Montreal is now regretting this... "
As for Price himself, Friedman reports that there are two theories as to what's happening with him now:

"One that he did the Canadiens a favor and that he didn't think that this was actually ever going to happen. And two that... he knew it could happen and he was at least comfortable with the idea."

To which I say, "why wouldn't he be?"

Seattle has all the makings of a strong team out of the gate and Price has considerable ties to the Seattle area. He played four seasons for the Tri-City Americans in nearby Kennewick, Washington and his wife and her family are from Washington state. To be honest I feel like Bergevin has made a huge mistake by exposing Price and it seems now like the organization is beginning to realize it.