Every number the Canadiens have retired belongs to a player who won the Cup with the team. That standard made sense when Montreal won all the time, but in a 32-team league with a salary cap, winning one is a lot harder. A franchise player can give his whole career to the club and never get there.

Price is the obvious case: a Vezina and a Hart, the face of the team for over a decade, a run to the Final in 2021, and a career that ended on injury. If anyone deserves an exception, it’s him.
On the other side, the standard is part of what makes those banners mean something. Lower it once and the next debate is about someone who’s a lot less clear-cut.