The Montreal Canadiens may have to wait almost a month for the return of starting goaltender Carey Price, as general manager Marc Bergevin updated his status on Thursday.

“It’s been slower than we expected,” said Bergevin.

The Canadiens GM said there is no firm date for a return but is not expecting the 28-year-old netminder back for another three weeks or a month.

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Despite missing his top goaltender, Bergevin is not willing to excuse his team’s struggles.

"We have to find a way to win without Carey Price,” said Bergevin. “That's a fact."

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Price won the Hart Trophy last season as the NHL's MVP and also claimed the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie after setting career bests in wins (44), shutouts (nine), goals-against average (1.96) and save percentage (.933).

This season Price, 28, has a 10-2-0 record with two shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.06 and a save percentage of .934.