The improved play of Jake Allen and what it means to the HABS
Written by Fred Arshoff
Edited by Judy Pitcher
First of all I would like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for her outstanding editing of my articles. Adding facts, information and updating the article between the time I’ve written it and it’s being published. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.
I decided to write this article as several people don’t see how the improved play of Jake Allen, who was traded to the New Jersey Devils on March 7th, 2024, will help the HABS. I would like to explain how it helps the HABS come the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
First of all I would like to address the issue that some people think the Jake Allen deliberately played poorly this season. I don’t believe for a second that Allen would deliberately not play well.
Let’s look at some facts. On October 22, 2022 Allen signed a 2-year contract extension, which included a 7-team no-trade clause. I’m sure at the time he was happy to stay in Montreal and continue to play for the HABS. However, if he had known that in the 2023-24 season the HABS would have a 3-goalie rotation, perhaps he would not have signed that contract.
The HABS acquired Allen and a 7th round pick on September 2, 2020 in a trade with the St Louis Blues. The HABS traded a 3rd and 7th round draft pick to St Louis. This trade was made by former HABS GM Marc Bergevin.
At the time of the trade Jake Allen became the perfect back-up to Carey Price. The HABS goaltendending tandem was perfect through the 2020-21 season when Price would play only 25 games, including the run to the Stanley Cup Finals. In 2021-22 Allen would play a much bigger role, as Carey Price would only play the final 5 games of the season, with his last ever NHL game being April 29, 2022, in a 10-2 win over the Florida Panthers. During that time the HABS picked up Samuel Montembeault off waivers from the Florida Panthers on October 2, 2022 to back up Jake Allen due to Price’s long term injury. During the 2023-24 season goaltending with the HABS got complicated, as they were rotating their 3 goalies
. The HABS did not want to risk losing 24 year old Cayden Primeau to waivers if they sent him back down to the Laval Rocket.The only goalie playing on a regular basis woud be Samuel Montembeault. Over that time Cayden Primeau was also not playing well, but has improved significantly since the Jake Allen trade. For more information about Cayden Primeau’s improved play, please see my article at:https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2024/03/30/the-improved-play-of-cayden-primeau/
I’m sure that Jake Allen’s play has improved since the trade are the same reasons Primeau’s play has improved. Jake Allen had to agree to waive his no-trade clause to be traded to the New Jersey Devils. Playing in a city where you and your family feel comfortable will help you play better and show the team they made the right move when they acquired you.
For a trade to really work, both teams need to benefit from it. If one team comes out further ahead, the other team will think twice before trading with them, again.
The HABS benefit with Allen playing well with the Devils, as they received a conditional 3rd round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. That could become a 2nd round pick in 2025, if Jake Allen plays 40 games prior to that draft.
If Allen plays well, the Devils will play him for sure, as they got him to win. Allen’s stats show significant improvement since the trade. 2023-24 HABS 21GP 3.55GAA 0.892SV% 2023-24 NJD 11GP 2.86GAA 0.911SV% Let’s be honest, a 2nd round pick is normally better than a 3rd round pick the HABS would get, dependent on Allen playing those 40 games.
JAKE ALLEN’S STATS
https://www.eliteprospects.com-Jake Allen
As far as I am aware, if the Devils trade Allen before he has played 40 games, it remains a 3rd round pick. Let’s hope Jake Allen continues to play well and spends all of next season with the Devils, so the HABS get the 2nd round pick in 2025.
SOURCES
HABS ACQUIRE JAKE ALLEN
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/jake-allen-trade-canadiens-blues-nhl-1.5709413
JAKE ALLEN’S STATS AND CONTRACT
CAREY PRICE’S STATS
https://capfriendly.com/players/carey-price#:~:text=SUMMARY%E2%96%B4,for%20the%202023%2D24%20season
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