To the surprise of many, Hughes revealed that the team plans to start the season with Carey Price in the official lineup, instead of immediately placing him on the summer-long LTIR (Long-Term Injured Reserve).
By keeping Price on the team's official lineup to begin the season, Hughes provides himself with the option to place his star goaltender on the long-term injured reserve "during the season" (rather than on the offseason LTIR).
This will give him much greater flexibility, compared to if Price had been placed on the long-term injured reserve during the offseason. This approach is more advantageous due to the rules being more favorable.
