Montreal Canadiens plans for this season were to compete for a Stanley Cup and not worry about much else.
That’s a solid plan for any NHL team and the offseason acquisitions made by Marc Bergevin have turned out quite well. He brought in Josh Anderson who brings an element of speed, size and skill that is difficult to find in one player.
Tyler Toffoli has been excellent all season. Corey Perry plays a terrific role on the fourth line and power play. Joel Edmundson has been asked to handle an enormous load and has done so admirably.
Perhaps most importantly, was the addition of Jake Allen. The Canadiens finally decided to invest in a backup goaltender that could be counted on to take some of the burden off Carey Price’s shoulders. Allen has done that and then some. With Price injured for most of the month of April, Allen made his 13th start of the month last night.
Allen has kept the Habs in games every night, though they haven’t provided much offence. Allen’s 2.50 GAA and .913 SV% aren’t Vezina Trophy numbers, but they are far superior from anything we have seen from Price’s recent backups. Especially since he has played 22 of their 47 games this season.
The Habs finally found a backup that can fill in for Price when he needs a rest and also carry the team if Price is hurt.
The only problem is, it might be difficult to keep him around. Allen signed a two-year extension that kicks in next season at only $2.875 million per season. That’s incredible value for what Allen brings, and it would be terrific if he played out those two years in Montreal.
However, the Seattle Kraken expansion draft is this July and they are surely going to have their sights set on Allen. Every team in the league is allowed to protect one goaltender from expansion and not many teams have a second goaltender that would be as attractive to an expansion team as Jake Allen.
So, how can the Habs keep Allen for next season? They will have to work out a trade with the Kraken. Let’s take a look at three offers that could entice Seattle to take someone else off the Habs hands.