The menage a trois in front of the Canadian’s net is over. The Habs have traded goaltender Jake Allen to the New Jersey Devils, according to various media. The organization would retain 50% of the remaining salary on his contract and in return would obtain a conditional third-round draft pick in 2025.
If he plays 40 games spread between this season and next year, the third round pick will turn into a second round pick.
The Canadian’s management thus resolves a problem that has prevailed since the start of the season, when Allen shared the work in front of the net with Cayden Primeau and Samuel Montembeault. As the weeks went by, it became clear that the 33-year-old veteran was the third goalie of the trio.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Cayden Primeau, Samuel Montembault and Jake Allen
General manager Kent Hughes had said he was willing to keep him until the summer, but at this trade deadline, he obviously received the offer he was hoping for.
He thus found himself in a “super difficult” context, as he pointed out in an interview with the TSN network a few moments after the exchange was announced. “But it’s part of the business,” he added. These decisions are beyond our control. You just have to go play. Sam and Cayden were wonderful under the circumstances, they worked without complaint. They have a bright future [à Montréal]. »
Allen said he had known for a while that the Devils were interested in him. “I’m looking forward to this new opportunity, this new beginning. [Je souhaite] find my rhythm in training and in matches and finish the season strong. »
He also said he was relieved to know where he was going to play next year. “It was important to me. I have three young daughters,” he recalled.
Allen is having a difficult season, winning only six of the 21 games he has played. His individual statistics (3.64 goals against average and .892 save percentage) are among the worst in the NHL.
The Devils have been experiencing all kinds of problems since the start of the campaign. By acquiring Allen, they are adding a veteran who they hope will give them some stability.
The Canadian acquired Jake Allen in September 2020 in return for two draft picks. Until then, he had played his entire career with the St. Louis Blues, the team with which he won the Stanley Cup in 2019.
A priori, he was supposed to act as assistant to Carey Price, but the numerous injuries suffered by the latter increased his workload. In his first campaign in Montreal, he played a little more than half of the team’s matches (29 out of 56), before seeing his season cut short in 2021-2022 due to injuries.
Things started to go wrong in 2022-2023. Playing on a rebuilding team, and once again dealing with health problems, he saw his statistics plummet — goals against average of 3.55 and efficiency rate of .891.
It hasn’t happened again this season, while he has similar numbers, with a record of 6-12-3. Three of his six victories were signed before the end of October.
The New Brunswicker is still under contract for another season. By retaining half of his salary, the Habs will therefore keep $1.925 million on their own payroll next year. In 2023-2024, salary retentions will account for 4.3 million in the Habs budget, which will end up absorbing the salary of Jeff Petry (2.34 million).