No, Carey Price is not coming to the Avalanche

The NHL trade deadline is a week away, so of course, there are going to be rumors, rumors, rumors.

Hey, I’m not judging here. I’ve put out my share of rumors, most of which died a sad, lonely death when it came to coming to fruition.

But there is one “hot” rumor out there that I must dispel.

Because Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin and top hockey operations exec Scott Mellanby are reportedly attending the Avalanche-Lightning game tonight, there have been no shortage of subsequent theories as to why they might be here. It probably didn’t hurt the rumor mill from churning extra-hard because of the Avalanche currently having its top goalie on the shelf with a lower-body injury.

On Twitter tonight, NHL Network analyst Mike Kelly got everybody excited with these tweets:

https://twitter.com/MikeKellyNHL/status/1229533308297584640

*Avs get long-term solution in goal and would well positioned to make multiple Cup runs in coming years with Price playing at a high level.
*Avs have cap space to do it. *Habs can acquire some assets and reset, not rebuild. What would they covet from Colorado?

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) February 17, 2020

A Timmons or Newhook / picks? A combination with roster player. Sam Girard?
*Habs have a blend of some vets, some kids but seem kind of stuck in the middle in East. Reset and reload. Primeau in the pipeline + UFA goalies on the market this summer.

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) February 17, 2020

Colorado with Carey Price in goal would be something and Montreal could shift its direction and free up some money while getting younger. Anyways, blockbuster trades are good and this would be one!

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) February 17, 2020

Hey man, I love a blockbuster as much as the next reporter. Covering the Avalanche for 25 years now? I have had my share, and they are always fun.

But this trade, this proposed/theorized trade involving Carey Price and some of the Avalanche’s best young prospects?

No, not happening. Not in a million years. You can take it to the bank that this trade will not happen. I’ll bet my entire life savings on it. OK, so that isn’t a whole lot, but I’ll still bet it. I’m not just saying this without doing a little checking up on it, either. There is not a chance in Hades that the Avalanche are going to acquire a goalie in his 30s with a $10.5 million cap hit for this and the following SIX YEARS, in exchange for really good young players. Not. Happening.

On to the next rumor…