The New Jersey Devils need a goalie. This isn't news. Vitek Vanecek has been terrible. Akira Schmid has not come close to living up to his postseason performance. Nico Daws has played well, but he just came off hip surgery, and we can't know how long he might last. If the Devils want to reach their goals, they need the right goalie in net. It's become pretty clear that goalie isn't on the roster.
So, the Devils have to search the very volatile trade market for a goalie. Only one problem: the trade market is insane right now. The prices are out of this world. For everyone. For good goalies and great goalies, the teams who own these assets are asking for the moon.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet spoke to NHL Network about the possible Devils targets. He dictated five that might make sense.
The New Jersey Devils could be one of several teams interested in trading for a goalie. @FriedgeHNIC talks about which goaltenders could be available. @SteveGelbs | #NJDevils | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/Z6zIyjgDbU
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) January 4, 2024
The Devils aren't going to find Ilya Sorokin or Igor Shesterkin on the trade market. A player of that caliber doesn't become available. However, the Devils are likely going to do something. So, based on the names in the video, let's power rank them.
5. Jake Allen
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are in a very enviable position right now. They have three good-to-great goalies. Cayden Primeau is definitely one the Devils asked about. Not that he's available, but the Canadiens have three goalies, and only one is from New Jersey. While Primeau is from Voorhees (which is Flyers country), it would still be a homecoming of sorts. The other young goalie is Sam Montembeault. However, the Canadiens just signed him to an extension. He's not going anywhere.
The player that keeps getting tied to the Devils is Jake Allen. There are multiple reasons. For one, the Canadiens would love to get ultimate value for Allen. He's 33 years old, and he still has another year after this one on his contract, paying him $3.85 million per season. Also, the Canadiens are able to ask for a mint because the market, as we said, is insane.
And that's why this is at the bottom of the list. Allen might not be that good. Sure, he has ties to Martin Brodeur from their days in St. Louis, but that's not enough to have Allen come in as the "savior." His .903 save percentage is not great. His 5v5 goals saved above average is 17th in the league, so that's great. However, his contract and the price to get Allen is not worth it. It's too big a risk.