After weeks of speculation, the trade finally happened. The Montreal Canadiens sent goaltender Jake Allen elsewhere, trading him to the New Jersey Devils at the NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Allen, who was the odd-man out in Montreal after the emergence of Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau, originally had the Devils on his no-trade list. However, he eventually relented and is now playing with New Jersey.
And as he admits it, you have to "make decisions" sometimes in your career.
"Loved my time as a Hab," he said of pulling on Montreal's red, white and blue threads. "I always will cherish that. Put on probably the most special jersey in hockey, in my books. But you realize in your career, it doesn't last forever.
"You've got to make decisions sometimes."
"Sometimes you've got to be a little bit selfish," said Allen. "Look yourself in the mirror and wonder what's best for you and your family."
With a 4-2 record since joining the Devils, Allen feels reenergized to be in the playoff chase, despite New Jersey's dwindling odds.
"I thought this was a good opportunity to come in the rest of this year, play some games," Allen said.
"It's been a good start."
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