New Jersey Devils Sign Goaltender Jake Allen
The New Jersey Devils have secured the services of goaltender Jake Allen by agreeing to a five-year contract, which will carry a cap hit of $1.8 million. This confirmation comes from league sources and was reported by Pierre LeBrun.
Allen’s Performance and Career Highlights
At 34 years of age, Allen emerged as the standout option within a lackluster free agent market for goalies this summer. As he nears the milestone of 500 NHL games, his credentials are well-established. In the previous season, he served as the backup to Jacob Markstrom, where he delivered a commendable performance with a .906 save percentage, along with successfully saving 19.07 more goals than expected, ranking him 15th among all goaltenders despite starting only 29 games.
Allen’s NHL journey began with a robust tenure as a starting goaltender for the St. Louis Blues, but he has recently carved out a reputation as one of the most dependable backups in the league. His abilities were notably on display earlier this year when Markstrom faced a significant injury, leaving him sidelined for over a month. During this period, Allen assumed the primary role, achieving an impressive .919 save percentage and recording the third-highest goals saved above expected (GSAx) during that timeline.
Future Prospects
Known for his composed demeanor and reliable game style, Allen continues to demonstrate that he has more to offer on the ice as he approaches his 35th birthday in August. Kevin Weekes was the first to break the news about his new extension with New Jersey, solidifying Allen’s position as a key asset for the team moving forward.
