Goaltender Jake Allen signed a two-year contract extension worth $5.75 million with the Montreal Candiens. This will pay him $2.875 million per season, lasting him through the 2022-23 season. Allen was acquired by the Canadiens in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on September 2nd.
Canadiens sign goaltender Jake Allen to a two-year contract extension.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/KwQmhlgPVT
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 14, 2020
Jake Allen Signs Extension with Canadiens
Allen was the backup goalie for Jordan Binnington on the Blues, but he proved to be a great option in the playoffs and the regular season. In 24 games played with the Blues last season, Allen posted a 12W-6L-3OTL in 21 starts. In that time frame, he allowed 2.15 goals per game on average and stopped 92.7 percent of the shots he faced, saving 607 out of 655. He also saved about 11 goals above expected. In his seven-year career with the Blues, Allen has played 289 games and started 271 of them. He has a 2.50 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage over that time.
Looking to the Future
This is a fantastic signing for the Canadiens. With Carey Price still being an extremely capable starter, having Jake Allen signed is perfect. He is able to be a starting goalie if Price is injured or is in a slump, and can take the second game of a back-to-back with ease. The Canadiens also signed Allen for about half per year of what the Blues did. But the biggest benefit for the Canadiens is now they have a goalie to give up in the expansion draft. Price has a no-movement clause in his contract, and Cayden Primeau is exempt. This two-year contract exposes Allen to the draft, letting Montreal keep Price protected. It does seem strange to protect a 33-year-old goaltender (34 when the draft comes), but the Canadiens have faith in him and Primeau to be their goalie tandem in the future.
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