Speaking Wednesday night on NHL Network, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that the trade market is heating up considerably around Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen. With plenty of competitive teams dealing with poor play and injuries between the pipes, Allen has been an oft-rumored trade candidate throughout much of the year.
Pagnotta indicates that before the roster freeze went into effect on December 19, the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils had all made contact with Canadiens’ brass to gauge the price tag on Allen. With another year left on his contract after this season, Allen’s salary is set at $3.85M, meaning any acquiring team will likely need to move around funds to acquire him.
At any rate, all signs indicate that Allen’s career in Montreal is coming to an end. The organization appears comfortable moving forward with Sam Montembeault as the starter and Cayden Primeau serving as the primary backup. In 12 games this season, Allen has produced a very modest 4-6-2 record, carrying a .907 SV% and a 3.43 GAA.
The Canadiens handed a three-year, $9.45M contract extension to Montembeault, effectively ending any chance that Allen would stay in Montreal beyond this season. Aside from both Montembeault and Primeau, the team is also prepared to introduce 2023 draft pick Jacob Fowler within the next several years.
It is more than reasonable for all three teams mentioned to be interested as Carolina, Edmonton and New Jersey are tied for last place in the NHL in SV% as a team, sitting a .879. Currently, Carolina is the only one of the three currently in a playoff position, sitting in the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
It will be difficult to ascertain the price point for Allen, given his current contract and his status as a backup goaltender. The last time a similar goaltender was traded was on September 19, with the Canadiens shipping Casey DeSmith to the Vancouver Canucks for Tanner Pearson and a third-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft.
If Allen ends up in Edmonton, New Jersey or Carolina, the receiving club will need to move salary the other way, as currently, none would be able to assume the contract of Allen outright.
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