Veteran goalie Jake Allen assured he's a part of the Canadiens' future

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If Sam Montembeault has established himself because the Canadiens’ beginning goaltender, and Cayden Primeau is able to take the subsequent step following his late-season heroics with the Laval Rocket, the place does that go away Jake Allen, who turns 33 in August?

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Firmly with Montreal, he believes, even when meaning backing up Montembeault at this stage of his profession. Allen signed a two-year contract extension final October — one that features a partial no-trade clause — that runs by the 2024-25 season. He was emphatic not too long ago, telling reporters he expects to be with the Canadiens come September coaching camp.

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“I’ve no subject with the workload,” Allen stated on the group’s season-ending availability. “Sam proved himself to be a extremely good goalie this yr … and needs to be pleased with himself. I’m positive there have been individuals who doubted him, had ideas and emotions. I don’t suppose (No. 1, No. 2 designation) issues at this level, particularly with the course we’re making an attempt to go.

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“I feel Sam’s going to be a vivid a part of this group’s future. My job is to assist him.”

Allen and Montembeault shared the workload this season, Allen taking part in in 42 of the Canadiens’ 82 video games. That whole may need been greater had Allen not missed eight video games in January with an upper-body harm and three extra in April with a lower-body ailment.

Whereas Montembeault gained just one extra recreation than Allen, his goals-against common of three.42 and .901 save proportion have been barely higher than Allen’s respective totals of three.55 and .891. And Montembeault is just 26 years outdated.

Allen has lengthy believed it’s essential each NHL group have a veteran presence in internet.

“It was essential for me once I was a younger man,” the Fredericton, N.B., native stated. “Simply to have that sounding board, that presence. I feel I may be an essential piece right here, not solely on the ice however a variety of issues off the ice; get Sam to the place he needs to go. I see a variety of future in Sam. I need to try to make him the perfect goalie he may be for the Habs. Clearly, that’s my job as nicely. I feel I may also help him.”

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As a Stanley Cup winner with St. Louis, the articulate Allen is a well-respected veteran within the dressing room. His departure would create a right away void.

Contemplating the inexperienced defence group he performed behind, together with Johnathan Kovacevic, Jordan Harris, Justin Barron, Arber Xhekaj and Kaiden Guhle, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Allen carried out admirably, holding the Canadiens in lots of video games.

“You must be in your toes, no query,” Allen stated. “However I feel it’s a must to take a look at it from a practical perspective. It’s not going to be excellent on a regular basis. There’s going to be errors. On the similar time there’s going to be progress, and progress comes with errors and alternative. A whole lot of these guys, on most nights, didn’t play like that. They need to be actually pleased with themselves.

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“The way in which they dealt with themselves … the way in which they jumped right into a state of affairs perhaps they didn’t count on firstly of coaching camp. They stepped up and crammed the void … took a variety of large strides. It ought to give them a variety of confidence coming into September.”

Primeau, solely 23, helped carry the Rocket into the AHL playoffs, the group successful eight of its last 9 video games. And, whereas Laval was swept out of the post-season by Utica in two video games, Primeau was sensible within the season-ending 2-1 time beyond regulation loss, holding the Comets with out a aim till 19:58 of the third interval.

Nonetheless, if he’s not able to make the soar to full-time NHL employment — and Primeau has been inconsistent with Montreal — he should clear waivers subsequent season earlier than being assigned to the Rocket. That’s a probably dangerous proposition for the group.

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If Canadiens administration is ready to roll the cube and proceed with the tandem of Montembeault and Primeau, it may not be straightforward to commerce Allen. Whereas he earned US$3.75 million this season (with a cap hit of US$2.875 million), his contract features a record of seven groups to which he can’t be dealt. That record decreases to 3 groups in 2024-25.

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