Sabres and Kraken reportedly talk to Montreal Canadiens

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Seattle Kraken and Buffalo Sabres are among the teams reportedly in talks with Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens to acquire a goaltender.

With the signing of Samuel Montembeault ($9.45 million for three years), the Tricolore’s first domino has fallen, with the aim of breaking this famous ménage à trois. A trio of goalkeepers simply doesn’t work. Everyone knows that.

That said, according to information gathered by veteran Garrioch, Ron Francis contacted Hughes to find out which way he was going to go with his masked men. This discussion certainly took place before the signing of Montreal’s number one, Samuel Montembeault.

From there, the options stop at Jake Allen, 33 years old and with a $3.85 million pact (with bonuses) valid until 2025. In the other corner is Cayden Primeau, a 24-year-old trying to prove he’s mentally tough enough to protect a National Hockey League cage.

Primeau must go through the waivers if he’s returned to Laval, which makes this situation so late and hopeless, and Allen holds a partial no-trade clause.

In addition to the Kraken, the Buffalo Sabres, also in the market for a goaltender, are reportedly eyeing veteran Jake Allen. Allen would certainly be perfect to play 1B with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is doing a very honest job despite the nauseating situation in Buffalo. In Devon Levi’s case, if a new goaltender arrives, he’ll have to perfect his AHL education (he’s just returned to the AHL).

With the information received by Raphaël Doucet(La Poche Bleue), added to this, it’s clear that something is in the works and that Hughes is working hard on it.

In bursts

– In his first game with the Rocket, Arber Xhekaj unleashed two shots while finishing the game with a minus-3 differential.

– The Rocket allowed themselves a tasteless, unconvincing game in front of Kent Hughes. Nick Bobrov, co-director of amateur recruiting, accompanied the general manager during this lacklustre, even embarrassing duel.

– The game’s never been this fast, and the offense hasn’t shone this bright in ages.

– It looks like D.J. Smith won’t be leaving just yet.

– Only time will tell.