OFFICIAL: Devils Acquire Veteran Goaltender Jake Allen from Canadiens

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils acquired a goaltender before the 3:00 P.M. trade deadline. 

General manager Tom Fitzgerald sent a conditional third-round draft pick to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for veteran Jake Allen. Montreal will retain 50 percent of Allen’s salary both this year and in 2024-25, the last year of his contract.

Per the official press release, the conditions are as follows: "If Allen plays in 40 regular-season games in the 2024-25 season and his club qualifies for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 2025 third-round pick becomes New Jersey’s 2025 second-round selection."

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was the first to report traction on Allen being acquired by New Jersey.

"I'm looking forward to a new opportunity, a fresh start, finishing the season strong, and getting ready for next season," Allen told TSN.

The 33-year-old netminder has a record of 6-12-3 in 21 games this season, with a goals-against average of 3.65 and a save percentage of .892.

He joins a very young Devils tandem that has recently been comprised of Nico Daws and Akira Schmid.

Allen began his NHL career with the St. Louis Blues during the 2012-13 season. His time briefly overlapped with Devils Executive Vice President Martin Brodeur. After seven seasons in Missouri, he was traded to Montreal, where he has played for the past four seasons.

The Fredericton, New Brunswick native has played in 416 NHL games, has a career save percentage of .908, and has a 2.75 goals-against average.

Allen is signed through the 2024-25 season at $3.85 million. At the conclusion of the deal, he will be an unrestricted free agent. 

It is worth noting that Vitek Vanecek remains on injured reserve. While he did not suffer a setback, Fitzgerald said he is not as close to a return as initially thought, saying, "He is not 100 percent."

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