Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen has received a two-year extension. The agreement, which runs through the end of the 2024-2025 season, has an average annual value of $3.85 million.
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Canadian Hockey Club general manager Kent Hughes made the announcement in a press release on Saturday morning.
“I have many friends and acquaintances across the league who have gone through self-reliance and trials. I experienced an exchange. For me, the lawn is not greener elsewhere, he said at a press conference on Saturday afternoon before the club left for Ottawa. I like what we have here and I like it here. I love the organization and the players. It’s close to home in New Brunswick.
“Logistically, I have two young children and a third who will be born soon,” the guardian added. For me there are several factors that come into play and it’s just as important as hockey.
The agreement reached with Allen temporarily places the CH among the teams that will pay the least money for their active goalkeepers in the near future. If Carey Price’s name is on the long-term injured list, the org chart is completed by Quebecer Samuel Montembeault ($1 million per season) and young Cayden Primeau ($890,000 average salary).
“I’ll never be in Carey Price,” Allen said during his news conference. I believe in telling you but I don’t have the talent or the level of play, I have my own style and what I’ve made a success of.
An experienced goalkeeper
Allen, 32, played 35 games for CH last season, posting a 9-20-4 record, 3.30 goals against average and a 0.905 percent save. The Fredericton native also had two shutouts.
During his career, Allen appeared in 353 games with the St. Louis Blues and the Canadiens, averaging a record of 168-126-35. The 6’2” and 195 lb goaltender has had a 2.60 goals-against average and .911 odds since his NHL debut, in addition to 23 shutouts.
Allen was a second-round pick (34th overall) by St. Louis in 2008 and was acquired by the Blues on September 2, 2020 in exchange for a draft pick.
“I’ll never be Carey Price” – Jake Allen
Jake Allen made one thing clear: there’s no point in comparing him to Carey Price.
On Saturday, the 32-year-old goalie received a vote of confidence from the Montreal Canadiens by signing a contract extension through the end of the 2024-2025 season. He would therefore be the team’s No. 1 pick for a number of years, succeeding who was the fifth overall pick in the 2005 draft.
“I’ll never be Carey Price,” Allen warned. I don’t have his talent, but I have my own style.
The new Swiss shop steward is convinced that he can write his own story within the organization with continuity.
“I’ve had some success and consistency since I’ve been in this league,” said the goalkeeper. I want to continue I don’t intend to be someone I’m not in the next few years.”
Unforgettable experience
Allen was acquired by the St. Louis Blues in September 2020 and in 64 games for the Canadiens had a 20-32-9 record, a .906 save and a 3.01 clean sheet average.
The former Montreal junior also took the opportunity to say he is fortunate to have progressed with Price, whose career is likely to be over due to a serious knee injury.
“I’ll never forget that experience, especially watching him dominate the 2020-21 playoffs where he took us to the final,” said Allen, who hopes Price stays with the club this season.