![Jake Allen in Edmonton: Elliotte Friedman isn’t a big believer](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2023/11/jake-allenn-605x450.jpg)
The Oilers need a goalie for… obvious reasons. The club looks great on paper, but the goalies have been dragging the club down all season.
But the Oilers aren’t about to panic. They’re not interested in making a big-ticket deal, and that’s why nothing is moving in Alberta right now.
But that doesn’t stop club members from doing their homework. And as Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday night, all three CH goalies are on the Oilers’ radar.
Friedman talking Oilers interest in Habs goalies (32TP): “The Oilers were there to see all 3 Montreal goalies play. They saw them all. I think Allen is the least likely of the 3…I do think those are two of the guys Edmonton is looking at (Montembeault & Primeau)”
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 20, 2023
In the end, it’s quite possible that none of the three will head to Alberta. After all, if it’s not Allen, if the Oilers don’t necessarily see Cayden Primeau as the answer, and if Samuel Montembeault isn’t up for trade (unless he has the moon), it just might not work out.
At $3.85 million per season for another 19 months, Jake Allen isn’t necessarily the most attractive of goalies… and one wonders if the goalie, who can refuse certain trades, wants to go to Edmonton?
The question, however, is how far the Habs have progressed in their contract negotiations with Samuel Montembeault. After all, that’s part of the deal, too.
Here’s what the journalist had to say about the matter:
I think the Habs would like some clarity on Montembeault. – Elliotte Friedman
Friedman says he doesn’t know where the Habs stand in their negotiations with the Quebec goaltender. But if things aren’t moving forward quickly, and the CH wants to settle its ménage à trois, could that get things moving?
Whether it’s agreeing to sign the Quebecer or making a deal involving Montembeault or Primeau, the options are on the table for a GM who’s fed up with a three-way street. That’s not an easy thing to do when it comes to managing the rest of the roster.
Because goalies with no-trade (or no-movement) clauses don’t always want to accept a deal to Edmonton, and because Jack Campbell can’t find his way back to the AHL, Montembeault or Primeau are realistic options.
The Habs don’t want to drag out the fun with their goaltenders, and they must be tired of sharing the net like this. Will Kent Hughes be patient for much longer?
Remember that recently, Darren Dreger brought Xavier Bourgault’s name into the discussion.
In gusto
– The Avalanche are looking for reinforcements.
Says despite scoring 6 unanswered goals vs Dallas, they feel they would have trouble matching up against them in a 7 game series.
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 20, 2023
– Jayden Struble is excited.
Jayden Struble on being up with the #Habs: “just stepping on the ice with Marty [St-Louis], he’s an intimating kinda presence but it’s awesome. I’m just trying to soak everything in, be where I have to be on-time & early and just present is pretty much my focus here.”
– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) November 20, 2023
– Marc-Antoine Dequoy explains.
Marc-Antoine Dequoy #Als providing context to his post-game comments last night:
“The CFL is bilingual. The CFL is French and English as Canada the country is, and we just felt that the French Canadian was not respected, the French language was not respected.”
– Kenzie Lalonde (@KenzieTSN) November 20, 2023
– Still.
Mbappé reached the 300-goal plateau faster than Messi and Ronaldo https://t.co/O23E4iQj89
– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) November 20, 2023
– Lindy Ruff: contract extension to come?
@FriedgeHNIC on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast said that he doesn’t think the Lindy Ruff extension is “long” and he thinks it includes an option year at the end. pic.twitter.com/9kOe8S3yE8
– Pucks and Pitchforks (@pitchforkedpuck) November 20, 2023