Price is likely catching the last train outa Dodge after this season, as he is unlikely to re-sign with les glorieux and forever forego any chance to win the cup by sticking around.  No dummy he, knowing this is as good as it gets for Vos Canadiens.   Even if he plays lights out, their chances of getting to the finals is pretty slim.

So, rather than lose him for nothing, Bergevin makes a deal.  At least, he will say in his presser, he got something back, he had no choice, he had to do it.  It's how he rolls, blaming circumstance.  Not being 1 to be bold for the situation calls for timidity and shrinking away, he makes some type of deal, the half-a-loaf strategy of running your hockey team.

There was some chance, I thought, that he might go all-in at the deadline, make the big deal, give up prospects for a scorer, as the situation demanded....but, no.

So, why worry 'bout winning 1 round, makes no difference.  Even if they down NYR, who cares, they aren't going anywhere.