Speculation: Hughes could make a big splash by replacing Jake Allen with a big Sharks goalie

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Jeff Drouin
August 17, 2022 (12:54)

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Over the past few weeks, Jake Allen's name has come up a lot in trade rumors, especially because demand has really intensified in the National Hockey League.

More and more general managers are trying to convince Kent Hughes to trade the veteran goaltender, who will be free as a bird next summer.

Allen ($2.875 million) is very tempting for other clubs because he is reliable, experienced, solid and affordable.

We imagine that if Kent Hughes was sure that Carey Price would play all season, he would probably trade Allen.

But he doesn't have that certainty and (understandably) he doesn't want to risk rushing Cayden Primeau into the NHL. He also doesn't want to give Samuel Montembeault 50 or 55 starts.

A SOLUTION IN SAN JOSE

The Sharks are in a unique situation right now, in that they currently have three active goalies and are desperate to trade one of them by the start of the season.

Kaapo Kahkonen is their number one goalie, they have been clear about that.

That leaves veteran James Reimer and young Adin Hill on the trade market. One of them will almost certainly be traded in the next few weeks according to Sheng Peng of NBC Sports California.

Considering that we are currently in a "sellers" market, and considering that many teams are in desperate need of goaltenders, Kent Hughes could take the opportunity to make a big splash.

INTERESTING PRICES

Also according to Peng, the Sharks would ask:

- A second-round pick for James Reimer

and

- A fourth round pick for junior Adin Hill

So here's the idea. Kent Hughes could acquire Hill (for a fourth round pick), and then he could take advantage of the favorable market to trade Jake Allen at a high price.

Plus, Hughes has THREE 4th round picks in 2023.

So the Montreal Canadiens goalies would be:

Carey Price
Adin Hill
Samuel Montembeault
Cayden Primeau

And the Habs would have another top quality prospect or pick to add to their bank. Do you like the idea?

Hill, 26, is 6-foot-6 (214 pounds) and has a career .908 SV% in 74 games with the Sharks and Arizona Coyotes. His goals-against average is 2.74.

So he seems to have potential.

Credit: MarkerZone