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Seattle Expansion Draft: Who Should The Montreal Canadiens Expose?

By Teddy Elliot

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 21: The Team Store for the Seattle Kraken, the NHL's newest franchise, opens for business on August 21, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jim Bennett/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 21: The Team Store for the Seattle Kraken, the NHL's newest franchise, opens for business on August 21, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jim Bennett/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 08: Jake Allen #34 of the St. Louis Blues minds the net against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on March 08, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 08: Jake Allen #34 of the St. Louis Blues minds the net against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on March 08, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Jake Allen

Arguably Marc Bergevin’s most important offseason acquisition, Jake Allen is more than just the answer to the team’s backup goalie problem, his new two-year, $5.75-million contract extension represents the GM’s belief that the Montreal Canadiens are finally ready to contend for the Stanley Cup.

So why would he be exposed in the expansion draft?

As the saying goes, goalies are voodoo. In the worst-case scenario, let’s say Allen doesn’t work out and the team once again has a bloated contract on the books. Exposing Allen to the expansion draft not only offers Seattle a chance to get to the cap floor but also offers them a veteran goalie they can leverage as a trade chip or at best, a reclamation project.

His contract would also be perfect in that regard because it would expire the following season.

On the other hand, if he becomes the best backup in the league and helps the Habs lift the Cup, all the better for Seattle. By next summer, Primeau could be ready for a full-time backup role behind Price and having an extra $2.85-million in cap room might be necessary by then.

In my eyes, Allen is the perfect expansion draft pickup for the Kraken – an established veteran goalie that can help a new team solidify the crease for a few years.

Of course, there could be better goalies available so Seattle might want to look for a defenseman…

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