MONTREAL CANADIENS: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that the trade market is heating up considerably around Montreal Canadiens goaltender

Speaking on NHL Network on Wednesday night, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period writes that trade talks involving goaltender Jake Allen of the Montreal Canadiens are getting hotter. Allen has been a trade candidate for most of the season, with several competitive teams struggling with injuries and subpar play in the net.

According to Pagnotta, the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, and New Jersey Devils had all gotten in touch with Canadiens brass to find out Allen’s asking price prior to the roster freeze taking effect on December 19. Allen’s contract is slated to expire after this season at $3.85 million, so any team looking to acquire him will probably need to reallocate finances.

In any case, it appears like Allen’s time in Montreal is running out. With Sam Montembeault starting and Cayden Primeau as the primary backup, the team seems comfortable going forward. This season, Allen has played in 12 games and has a very low 4-6-2 record with a 3.43 GAA and a.907 SV%.

Any possibility that Allen would remain in Montreal after this season was almost eliminated when the Canadiens granted Montembeault a three-year, $9.45 million contract extension. In addition to Montembeault and Primeau, the team is set to add Jacob Fowler, a 2023 draft pick, in the coming years.

Given that Carolina, Edmonton, and New Jersey are all tied for lowest place in the NHL in terms of team SV% (.879), it makes perfect sense for all three of the aforementioned teams to be interested. Currently holding the top wild-card place in the Eastern Conference, Carolina is the only one of the three teams in a position to make the playoffs.

Determining Allen’s asking price will be challenging because of his existing contract and position as a backup goalie. The Canadiens sent Casey DeSmith to the Vancouver Canucks on September 19, in exchange for Tanner Pearson and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. That was the last time a goaltender of such caliber was moved.

 

The receiving team will have to shift salaries in the opposite direction if Allen winds up in Edmonton, New Jersey, or Carolina because none of them can currently take over Allen’s contract entirely.