Sabres Rumors: Allen Looked At As Potential Veteran Addition In Net

It has been no secret that the Montreal Canadiens are looking to move one of their goalies. Initially, the thought was that Sam Montembeault could even be moved. That was before he signed a three-year deal to stick with the Canadiens through 2027. That leaves Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau. Logically, as the Canadiens are still in a rebuilding phase and at the bottom of the standings, it makes sense to move veterans over young players that still have room to grow. This is what the Canadiens have before them this season.

Primeau should not be moved, while Allen is the netminder that should be on his way out. He isn't a bad goalie, but not the best option out there for teams. What could be in the favor of the Canadiens is the potential price to acquire him. Montreal has incentive to move the veteran goalie so that they can look to the future with Montembeaul and Primeau and get each of them more starts.

Allen has been being looked at by other teams, particularly the Buffalo Sabres. Bruce Garrioch reported that there is some talk that the Sabres may have looked at Allen as a veteran goalie option. In Buffalo, Eric Comrie is pretty much a non-factor now. He is clearly in the third-string role, but being kept on the roster. Maybe the Sabres are waiting for the right opportunity to move him so they don't lose him for nothing through waivers.

Devon Levi had some early season struggles, but he is back in the NHL and dominating. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played well to begin the season, but has struggled recently. I don't think Allen is an upgrade on the ice over either of Levi or Luukkonen, but regarding having a veteran presence around, it does make sense to be looking into Allen. What wouldn't make sense is if Allen were to join both Levi and Luukkonen on the Sabres roster and be forced to split the starts three ways. The only way I could see a potential deal going down is if the Canadiens want a tandem of Montembeault and Luukkonen and the Sabres are confident in a Levi/Allen tandem. This would still leave Comrie and Primeau on the outside looking in, but it may help both teams in the long run and to reach their goals.