Benefits of New Jersey Resigning Veteran Backup Goaltender
NHL free agency has now begun, and all 32 teams don’t seem to be wasting any time making changes. So far, New Jersey has taken advantage of free agency by signing players like Connor Brown, Angus Crookshank, and Calen Addison. They know to change up the roster quite a bit following last season's unfortunate end. Originally, it would seem a certain goaltender was potentially gonna be the top goaltender on the free agent market, though now it seems the opposite. New Jersey's goaltending will be as strong as ever in the upcoming season, as Jake Allen has signed an extension. In a five-year deal worth nine million dollars, the veteran goaltender is staying with the Devils. As Allen looks to continue impressing all Devils fans in the Prudential Center, what are the other benefits to this extension?
Reports were already being made that New Jersey was in hot pursuit of keeping Allen for a while now, so it seems their aggressive work finally paid off. Despite being just a backup to starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom, he still did his work and even had better numbers at the end of the season. Finishing off the season with a .906 save percentage throughout 31 games, fans are surely delighted to watch the veteran goaltender for another five years. Ever since he departed from St. Louis, Allen has been known as one of the best backups these last few seasons, especially when Markstrom went on his slump and missed a month due to injury, something New Jersey certainly has to watch out for this coming season. The backup’s style of play has proven he still has a few good years left in him. Now, fans know he’ll continue to flash the leather next season. How else does this benefit New Jersey?
New Jersey has kept Allen’s cap hit lower than what it would have been if entering the open market. As of now, these mighty goaltenders will have a cap hit of around six million dollars, quite positive for a team just coming out of the postseason. After the extension, New Jersey remains with around $12.5 million in cap space, still waiting for a portion to be used for locking in Luke Hughes. Hughes extension aside, the Devils still have the chance to add another winger with the remaining cap space. With Erik Haula departing New Jersey, it’s clear Tom Fitzgerald is looking for one worthy, perhaps one in the top 10. The backup goaltender remains in New Jersey for now, and the goaltending remains promising for years to come. Let’s now see what’s to become of those in front of them on the ice as the free agent frenzy has only just begun.
