from Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette,

Bergevin conceded that he’s working on finding help up the middle, but he flatly rejected the idea of trading Price for a first-line centre. Price has one season remaining on his contract and there’s some urgency to sign him to an extension before he’s in a position to become an unrestricted free agent.

“I don’t have any worries about it,” Price said. “I’m sure it will all take care of itself. I love playing here and I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”

When asked whether he would be willing to take a hometown discount so Bergevin could sign other key players, Price said: “That’s part of the business, right? That’s a tough question to ask me right now. Put me on the spot, huh? Like I said, I want to stay here. I know we’ll figure out a way to make all the pieces fit and bring a championship here.”

The Canadiens can’t sign Price to an extension before July 1.

When Bergevin was asked what would happen if Price wasn’t signed and there was a possibly of losing him to free agency, he said: “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Radulov said he was grateful to Bergevin for giving him a chance to return to the NHL and wanted to stay here. He said his one hope was a deal longer than the one-year contract he signed last summer.

As for the 38-year-old Markov, he expressed a desire to stay here “for the rest of my life.” There’s never been a problem signing him in the past and he probably rates a two-year deal.

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