Jake Allen would fare way better for a good hockey team
The Maple Leafs may have strung together more than a few wins in a row through February 20th, but let’s not fool ourselves: They cannot expect to make a deep playoff run with Ilya Samsonov and Martin Jones in the net. While the former has a solid 12-4-6 record, his 0.882 save percentage and 3.19 GAA are among the worst in the league for goaltenders who have started at least 20 games.
Martin Jones could be a capable backup, and the jury remains out on what Joseph Woll will look like when he ultimately returns. Woll looked good in 13 starts, but they may want to opt for an insurance policy, and Jake Allen brings both experience and success to the table.
No, his numbers haven’t been good in three seasons, but he’s also playing for a bad hockey team looking to shed more than a few seasoned veterans. Allen would be up for grabs even if his price tag is less-than-ideal, given the current situation in Montreal, and a goaltender-needy team like the Maple Leafs should be there for the taking.
Should Toronto opt for another goaltender at the deadline to act as much-needed insurance for Samsonov and Woll, Allen would be the guy, assuming the Canadiens have enough room to retain a portion of one more salary on their payroll.