Instant Analysis: Kent Hughes' Return On Jake Allen Trade

With a few hours left until the NHL trade deadline, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes finally resolved his season-long goaltending situation by trading Jake Allen for a conditional third-round pick in 2025. The draft pick can be upgraded to a second-rounder if a) Allen plays 40 or more games for the Devils in the 2024-25 season, and b) the Devils make the playoffs in that same season.

The Canadiens will retain fifty percent of Allen's $3.85 million salary, this season and next. That's important, as Hughes has used all three salary retention slots this season (Allen, Jeff Petry, Joel Edmundson) and two of three (Allen, Petry) for next season.

The burden of Montreal's three-goalie carousel was created by Hughes as the general manager was reluctant to place Cayden Primeau on waivers at the start of the season, fearing, rightly or wrongly, that he would be claimed.

Allen, Primeau and Sam Montembeault were forced to cope with an untenable situation for 63 games which undoubtedly had an impact on their performance, affecting some more than others. In a phone call with James Duthie on TSN's Tradecentre broadcast, moments following the trade announcement, Allen referred to the three-goaltender situation as "super difficult" and praised his fellow netminders for working hard every day and not complaining.

For Allen, he expects that he will be able to regain his form getting back into a regular rhythm for practices and games in New Jersey. The inexperienced Devils goaltenders have struggled mightily this season.

Having moved Allen and retained salary on his contract, Hughes was unable to move David Savard at the deadline, given his significant ask and no remaining retention slots.

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New Video: Jake Allen Trade Analysis

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