Under the bright, unforgiving glare of the arena lights, two teams cross paths—one riding a wave of hope, the other haunted by a decision that now echoes through every save and every goal allowed. The New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens, once united by a simple transaction, now find themselves on opposite sides of a growing divide. The photo tells a story: a moment frozen in time, players in red and black colliding with those in bleu-blanc-rouge, the weight of a single trade hanging invisibly in the air.

It was March 8, 2024, when Kent Hughes, the architect behind Montreal’s rebuild, made a move that seemed routine at the time. Jake Allen, the veteran goaltender with a steady glove and a seasoned mind, was shipped off to New Jersey for a third-round pick in the 2025 draft. The Canadiens, eager to protect young Cayden Primeau from waivers and confident in their depth, gambled on youth and potential over experience and reliability. The return? Arseni Radkov, an 18-year-old giant between the pipes, drafted 82nd overall and now sharpening his skills with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

But as the season unfolded, the gamble began to unravel. Montreal’s crease became a revolving door of uncertainty, every game a reminder of what was lost. Stu Cowan, a voice trusted by Habs fans, didn’t mince words: “Keeping three goalies for almost a full season to protect Cayden Primeau from waivers and then trading Jake Allen to New Jersey looking like a big mistake now for the Habs.” The numbers don’t lie. Allen, now thriving with the Devils, has posted 10 wins in 18 games, boasting a 2.49 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage—numbers that shine brighter than anything seen in Montreal’s net this year.

Meanwhile, Samuel Montembeault, the man tasked with filling Allen’s shoes, struggles under the weight of expectation. His career stats—a 3.24 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage—paint a picture of a goalie fighting uphill, every night a battle against doubt and disappointment. The contrast is glaring, and the fans feel it in their bones. What was meant to be a step forward now feels like two steps back, the promise of the future shadowed by the pain of the present.

Yet, the story is far from finished. Radkov, the towering prospect, represents hope—a chance that Hughes’ vision might yet bear fruit. But hope is fragile, and patience is in short supply in a city where hockey is more than a game; it’s a religion. Every save Allen makes for New Jersey, every goal Montembeault surrenders in Montreal, adds another layer to the debate. Was this trade a necessary risk, or a costly blunder that could haunt the Canadiens for years to come?

As the season grinds on, the answer remains elusive, hidden behind the statistics and the headlines. One thing is certain—the decision to trade Jake Allen has become a defining moment for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens. And as fans watch, hold their breath, and wonder what comes next, the echoes of that fateful deal grow louder with every passing game.

Photo of Devils and Canadiens

Photo credit: Habsfanatics/NHL

A transaction completed by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens, with the New Jersey Devils, is indeed starting to turn sour.

As journalist Stu Cowan recently pointed out, given the Canadiens’ early-season struggles in goal, the trade completed by Kent Hughes that sent Jake Allen to New Jersey is once again resurfacing as a mistake.

“Keeping three goalies for almost a full season to protect Cayden Primeau from waivers and then trading Jake Allen to New Jersey looking like a big mistake now for the Habs.”

– Stu Cowan

It should be recalled that on March 8, 2024, the Montreal Canadiens traded veteran goaltender Jake Allen to the New Jersey Devils, in exchange for a simple third-round pick in the 2025 draft.

A trade accepted by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens that is turning sour

With this third-round pick in the 2025 draft, which became the 82nd overall selection, the Canadiens did in fact draft a young goaltender.

Arseni Radkov, 18 years old, is a 6-foot-4, 203-pound goaltender who was indeed the Canadiens’ 82nd pick in 2025.

He is currently playing with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

As for Jake Allen, the 35-year-old goaltender stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 197 pounds. He is having a strong season with the New Jersey Devils. In 18 games, he has 10 wins, a 2.49 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage.

Over his NHL career, Allen owns a 2.75 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. That is significantly better than Samuel Montembeault’s career numbers, which include a 3.24 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage.