The things is their not, Montoya is ahead of Price in development at this point. He is playing in a professional league and has consistantly dominated.
I am not saying that Price shouldn't be in the top 20 because frankly he should. However to put Price over Montoya at this point in terms of development and potential is insane. They both have an EQUAL potential to be a franchise goaltender while Al is much closer to the NHL level then Carey is.
Price is ahead of montoya at the same age !
Montoya
WJC 2005
Appeared in seven games for Team USA at the 2005 World Junior Championships, posting a record of 3-4-0, along with a 3.36 goals against average.
Michigan 2004-05
In 34 games has a record of 25-6-3, along with a goals against average of 2.69 and save percentage of .89
Price
WJC 2007
Played all games for Team Canada at the 2007 World Junior Championships,
posting a record of 6-0-0 with a 1.14 goals against average with a 96.09 sv% to win the gold, the award for goaltender of the tournament and the MVP of the tournament.
Tri-city 2006-07
Team GP Mins Shots GA SO Avg. % W L OTL SL
Tri-City Americans 45 2662 1323 110 3 2.48 0.917 29 13 1 0
Price was born on August 16 1987 (19 years old)
Montoya was born February 13 1985 (22 years old)
Of course montoya is more NHL ready he's 2 years and half older than Price.
Also price was the best goalie from the fall/summer habs camp in the opinion of the fans & the media.
Montoya has not yet played in the NHL.
Halak was born May 13 1985 and he's younger than Montoya by 3 months already played better in the AHL and played in the NHL.
again nothing to disrespect Montoya because there is more than stats and opinion in NHL prospect ranking ...
But IMO Price is more advanced than Montoya at the same age.
As for their ranking it's a moot point, it's made by the HF staff and nowhere near to predict the real future.