According to TSN’s Eric Macramella, “This is Jake Allen’s final season in Montreal.” A pending UFA at the end of the season, there has been plenty of chatter that teams are interested in acquiring the services of the goaltender but the Canadiens have been hesitant to consider a trade because of the uncertainty surrounding Carey Price.
Insiders have argued that Allen will only be dealt if Price is healthy and ready to play. Macramella doesn’t seem to think that will matter at the end of the day. He notes, “His [Allen’s] presence is not predicated on Carey Price’s return. He’s on the last year of his deal with an attractive $2.85M AAV. He’s as good as traded at some point this season.” Whether that is this offseason when teams are potentially willing to give the most in return because they need a netminder to start the 2022-23 season or just ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, Allen is going to be a player teams call about. Macramella thinks it’s about the return and not Price’s health that will be the determining factor in the deal.
If he’s correct, questions about Samuel Montembeault being able to carry the load will be a hot topic in Montreal. Others will ask if the Canadiens intend to try and replace Allen with another goaltender? Some will assume Price is close.
Where Will Allen Go?
Upon first glance, the Habs should dangle Jake Allen in front of the Vegas Golden Knights. with the loss of Robin Lehner, they could be just desperate enough to overpay for the netminder. And, on a team like Vegas where the cap is a real issue, Allen’s salary is workable. Another option might be the Dallas Stars based on what happens with Jake Oettinger. If the Stars and the pending RFA continue to be locked in a battle over his next contract, it’s possible Dallas won’t have access to him to start the season.
If the Canadiens choose to wait on a trade, a number of other teams might become options if injuries start to play a factor in the success of their respective seasons.
Next: Does William Nylander Want to Play in Toronto Anymore?
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