Jake Allen: the Sabres’ best option, according to Brian Wilde

The Canadiens are off to an excellent start to the season. Its 5-2-1 record (who would have thought?) is good for fifth place in the NHL. The Canucks and Maple Leafs have exactly the same record as Montreal.

But let’s face it: barring a miracle, the team won’t make the playoffs. I like the Tricolore, but they simply don’t have the depth to compete with the likes of Toronto, Boston and Tampa Bay.

One team that’s the opposite of the Habs: the Buffalo Sabres. With a 3-5-0 record, they’re in last place in the East. Yet they have a good club and high aspirations for this season. Buffalo wants to (and can) make the playoffs.

The problem there is in front of the net.

As Brian Wilde explains in his piece below, Devon Levi, Ukko-Pekka Luukonen and Eric Comrie don’t have enough big-league experience. Buffalo needs to age in front of the net, and the solution could be in Montreal.

He needs Jake Allen, believes Wilde.

In fact, according to the Canadiens’ reporter, Allen is the best option for Kevyn Adams.

The 33-year-old goaltender has experience, a fairly team-friendly contract ($3.85 million for two years) and is off to a great start this season. In fact, Don Granato’s team had a front-row seat last Monday to witness the goalkeeper’s excellent start to the season. He stopped 36 of 37 shots fired at him.

In four starts in 2023-2024, he boasts a .930 goals-against average and a 2.63 goals-against average. In both categories, he ranks among the best in the Bettman circuit.

If Kent Hughes is confident his team can make the playoffs, he won’t trade his goalie. But if he has any doubts, he won’t hesitate to maximize his veteran’s value. That value has never been higher than it is right now.

But he can’t trade him immediately, because that would send the wrong message to his players that he doesn’t trust them and that the playoffs are out of reach anyway.

As Wilde points out, Buffalo won’t be interested in the Tricolore’s other two masked men. Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau are too young, and Buffalo needs two things: stability in front of the net and a guy who’s seen it all in the big leagues.

Jake Allen ticks exactly both boxes. Whether Buffalo is/will be interested remains to be seen.

It’s up to you, Buffalo. Seasons are falling apart fast. – Brian Wilde

In Brief

– In honour of Adam Johnson, who tragically lost his life.

– Evgenii Dadonov deal in Anaheim: Sens in the wrong?

– The end of early morning practices on game days?

– Good news from Tampa Bay: Andrei Vasilevskiy seems close to a return to action.

Great visual evidence of the Big Cat 🦁 Vasilevskiy on the ice, and on timeline for his return from back surgery. @TBLightning #HockeyTwitter https://t.co/OoqQWSIm95

– Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) October 29, 2023

– Well done.