Canadiens Discussing Jake Allen Extension, Plus Possible Trade

Following news that the Montreal Canadiens have signed netminder Cayden Primeau to a new three-year deal and after Carey Price posted what looked like a goodbye on social media, news that the Montreal Canadiens are looking at locking up an important piece of their roster in Jake Allen has gotten some attention.

Andy Strickland notes that GM Kent Hughes has been in conversation with Allen are discussing a contract extension. He writes, “Talks still appear to be in the preliminary stages but both sides want to get it done.” Popular NHL insider Kevin Weekes is also reporting that he’s been told the Canadiens are in discussions with Allen on a multi-year deal. The terms of the deal are not clear, but what is clear is that Montreal appears to need a starter they can count on and one they know will be with the team for more than just the 2022-23 season.

Related: Canadiens Interested in Trading for Nils Lundkvist?

The timing of the rumors are interesting as the Primeau extension announcement comes as word of Allen’s new deal leaked. It’s hard not to imagine that these two things aren’t connected and that Montreal didn’t potentially lock in their backup knowing that they’ve got a deal coming with the starter right away. The contract for Primeau is a one-way deal, meaning what happens with Sam Montembeault will be an intriguing story to watch.

That this also comes right as veteran Carey Price posted what looks like a goodbye on Instagram is fascinating. He wrote, “I just want to thank everyone who has been supportive over the past few weeks, months, and years. It has been a very emotional time for myself. Merci. GO HABS GO.”

Carey Price via Instagram ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5r3CC3uQJG

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 8, 2022

Canadiens Looking to Make Another Trade

Canadiens insider Eric Engels is also reporting that GM Kent Hughes said that they are looking to make a trade to clear some salary cap space. Could this be a bigger contract or might it be to move one of the goaltenders on and not have three on the main roster? Hughes said it wasn’t a huge deal if he wasn’t able to make the trade, and that makes sense considering the total cost of the two backups is less than $2 million per season.

There has been some talk that the Habs are interested in disgruntled Rangers defenseman Nils Lundkvist.

Next: Karlsson Has No Intention of Requesting Trade from Sharks