Jake Allen loved being part of the Montreal Canadiens. A real hockey market, a Bell Center that’s always full on Saturday nights, and the logo of one of the six original National Hockey League teams on the chest.
But the 33-year-old goalkeeper is also realistic. With the Canadiens rebuilding – and two young goalies in Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau who were ready to play more – Allen saw what was coming.
Desperate for help in their own net, the New Jersey Devils contacted the Canadiens about Allen, but they were initially on the list of teams he refused to be traded to.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Cayden Primeau, Samuel Montembault and Jake Allen
The Fredericton athlete didn’t hate the organization or the city of Newark. He simply believed that the team’s future at his position was assured for years to come.
The Devils finished the 2022-23 season with 112 points and reached the second playoff round. But this season, they have been held back by the mediocre play of Vitek Vanecek, Nico Daws and Akira Schmid, all of whom have an efficiency rating below .900.
The Devils were therefore open to change, and Allen also changed his mind.
“I loved my time with the Habs,” said Allen. I will always cherish my time with the team. This is the most special jersey in hockey, in my opinion. But you realize that nothing in your career lasts forever.
“Sometimes you have to make decisions. »
Allen, whose contract will expire at the end of next season, finally agreed to join the Devils before the NHL trade deadline. In return, the American club gave up a conditional third-round selection in 2025.
In addition to the fact that he is still playing significant games within a team that is trying to stay in the fight for the playoffs in the East, this exchange allowed him to settle his family in a new city.
It thus avoided the prolongation of uncertainty until this summer, when the market could be very busy.
“Sometimes you have to be a little selfish,” said Allen, who won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. “You look in the mirror and ask yourself what’s best for you and your family. . »
Allen has been very good for his new team so far.
On Tuesday, he shined against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a first period of 25 saves, en route to a 6-3 victory. He has a 4-2-0 record so far, a .925 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average in six starts.
The Devils are five points out of second and last place among drafted teams in the East.
“A real pro,” said interim head coach Travis Green.
With his start to the season in the blue-white-red uniform, he has a record of 10-14-3, a .900 percentage and a 3.39 average in 2023-2024. In 11 seasons with the Blues, the Canadiens and the Devils, he boasts a record of 193-164-41, a save rate of .908 and an average of 2.72.
“He makes the saves we need to gain momentum,” said captain Nico Hischier. If you have a strong goalkeeper between the posts, it makes your job easier. »
In his career, Allen won 11 of his 23 playoff games and had a .924 save percentage and a 2.06 GAA. Encouraging statistics if the Devils manage to qualify.
For now, however, he is focused on this opportunity to be back in the race.
“It was a good opportunity to play a few games between now and the end of the season,” Allen said. It was a good start. »