Huge trade between the Canadiens and the Ducks involving Trevor Zegras and Jake Allen: A proposal that makes sense

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David St-Jean
February 13, 2024 (9:01 PM)

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We tend to think that a contender might want to acquire Jake Allen before the playoffs. Some teams lack depth in that position, and having a solid backup could help.

However, there are many goalies like Jake Allen in the NHL, and they don't cost the same. The CH's number 34 has a very high salary for a backup, especially with the quite ordinary statistics he has had since the start of the season.

Now, Renaud Lavoie suggests the idea of trading him to a young team that needs his leadership. It's not a crazy proposition.

"Jake Allen will not be traded in my opinion to a team that aspires to the Stanley Cup [...] But he is someone very respected who can help in many ways for a team. He does things that go unnoticed for us because we are not in the locker room but that help his team enormously. And on the side of Anaheim, there is a need to establish a culture and do the right things. If you bring in a guy like Jake Allen, he could be a stabilizer in many areas. He still has value, it won't be a first-round pick, but if a guy like John Gibson is traded, there's something to work on there, and he could end up with a team like the Anaheim Ducks." - Renaud Lavoie

Imagine if the Ducks trade Gibson and acquire Allen in a deal sending Trevor Zegras to Montreal. Of course, the Canadiens would have to give much more, but it remains a possibility.

Remember that the CH has the means to pay, with 5 first-round picks in the next three seasons, plus a strong prospect pool.

Do you like the idea?