A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: The Crystal Ball, Bold Offseason Predictions

By Patrick Lortie

Jun 24, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens team receives the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after they won against Vegas Golden Knights in game six of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens team receives the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after they won against Vegas Golden Knights in game six of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /
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MONTREAL, QC – MAY 03: Jake Allen #34 of the Montreal Canadiens tends goal during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on May 3, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – MAY 03: Jake Allen #34 of the Montreal Canadiens tends goal during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on May 3, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Jake Allen did a sensational job as Carey Price’s backup this past season. Not since the duo of Jose Theodore and Jeff Hackett between 1999 and 2003 have the Habs had a more reliable goaltending duo.

The contract extension Jake Allen signed surprised everyone. The monetary value was shockingly low for a goaltender of his calibre signing a 2-year $5.75 million extension. Also, everyone expected him to walk into free agency and get a much larger contract.

The truth of the matter is that on a personal level, Allen bet on himself. The QJMHL alumni want to be here. He loves this city and loves this team and has been nothing but professional with both fans and media. His teammates trust him and have had no qualms playing in front of him while Price was on the mend.

Here comes the business side of sports. This year features another expansion draft as the league welcomes the Seattle Kraken into the fold. The Habs are going to protect 7 forwards, 3 defencemen and a goaltender. If a player has a No-Movement clause, they are automatically counted as a protected player, meaning that Price, Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry are already protected.

This leaves Jake Allen exposed. And a goalie of his calibre at a $2.875 million cap hit is way too enticing. I would not be surprised if Bergevin decides to trade him in order to not only avoid losing him for nothing, but to potentially be relieved of a larger contract instead.

Potential Trade Partners: San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers

Most Likely To Get Drafted To Seattle After Allen Is Traded: Joel Edmundson, Brett Kulak, Cale Fleury

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