Coaching the NHL at the salary cap age isn’t always easy. You have to answer questions that are not necessarily in your area of ​​expertise and that you may not fully understand.

Dominique Ducharme was in that position Thursday night after the Canadiens’ 5-4 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators in their final pre-season tune-up. He was asked about the factors involved in making final decisions regarding the opening night roster.

That’s when the salary cap first appeared.

“We are waiting for some responses from the league to see exactly how we can handle the situation,” said Ducharme. “We have several options, and that can affect them. “

What Ducharme was referring to was the announcement earlier today that goaltender Carey Price had signed up for the NHL / NHLPA Player Assistance Program, which was accompanied by an absence of at less 30 days of team activities. As Ducharme answered these questions, neither he nor the team knew whether Price’s $ 10.5 million salary could be placed in the Long-Term Injury Reserve (LTIR). The minimum number of games and days a player must miss to qualify for the LTIR is 10 games and 24 days, thresholds Price is sure to meet with the Canadiens playing their 10th game on October 31.

Friday morning, a source said, the Canadiens got their answer from the NHL.