OverDrive - Allen on the experience in the crease in New Jersey, the tandem with Markstrom and Keefe's coaching impact

Episode Date: January 15, 2025

New Jersey Devils Goaltender Jake Allen joined OverDrive to discuss his season with New Jersey, his experience in the crease in the league, building a tandem with Jacob Markstrom, Sheldon Keefe's coaching views to the team, the vision against each team in the league and more.

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Alex Ovechkin actually breaks Gretzky's record. To be honest, we had that conversation the other day and for our luck, for me and Marky's luck, we don't have to play the Caps again, which is crazy to think about someone in your division. We've already played them four times this year and we got the best of them in that. He never got any bias, but we talked about being that goalie in that when he breaks that record, you're on the highlight for the rest of your life

and not on a good end. No kidding. Yeah, so Jacob, you, I mean, I'm on his list. He got one on me his rookie season, so I'm on the list. I'm assuming are you on his list? Has he gotten you before? Oh yeah, I've contributed, yeah, for sure. I'm at least, I can't say for sure, but I'm for sure between five and seven goals, no question. At least four one-timers and a couple

other ones, but no, he's got me. What a list that guy must have. What a list that guy must have what it was like like he makes that Cleveland Browns Jersey list look like just Child's play like he's got a goalie list. That's yeah Incredible man like that you got to think like that's probably something he'll get when he retires or breaks Gretzky's record like a book or something Jake Allen Jamie McClennan and like 400 other goalies Alphabetical order it should be it should be and

Yeah, man, he's a he's a beast and you're right like that that goal will be played Forever and ever and ever and I'm glad to hear you guys don't have to worry about that But you guys you know you've been playing really well obviously this year And you know you required by New last year, Markstrom comes in over the summer, two veteran guys and when you consider that New Jersey was looking to solidify that position in particular, how much pride did you take in that, the fact that you two have played so well and your team's playing so well? Yeah. You know, when the whole sort of situation unfolded last year with me and Montreal and, uh,

and coming here to Jersey, I sort of, they sort of laid out a plan for me, sort of knew that what I was getting myself in for, uh, obviously took a little bit of time for us to get marquee, but, uh, you know, now that the cards are folded on the table, uh, it's worked out well. It's worked out well for both of us personally. Uh, I'm obviously collectively as a group too.

We've managed to get off to a good start here halfway through the year. But it's been a pleasure for me to play with a guy like Marky. We've played against each other since we were 17 years old. We're both going to be 35 years old this year. He's playing some of the best hockey I think of his career right now and it's fun to watch. With you guys being veteran guys, does it make it kind of easier playing with these buckos up front that want to kind of do their thing? They're extremely gifted and hey they do what they do. Jack Hughes and he sure are some of the most exciting players in the league, but do you

guys have to stand up the odd time and say, guys, if we want to be serious here it's not all about the flash and dash we have to get back play defense and all that other all the other intangibles. No you're definitely right but at the same time you know I know I was only here for a little bit of time last year for I think 16 or 18 games but just to see the mindset from then to now I know we were out of the playoffs but still to come in here with the addition of some older guys this year with Brendan Dillon, myself, Mark Strum, and those guys being a year older and a little bit wiser and seeing what it takes

around the league to win. I've really seen it. Obviously, we know what Jack can do. He's a magician. He's playing a video game out there. I don't even know how to describe it. But they've really committed themselves this year, especially when Sheldon came over to play in that defensive style game that obviously isn't fun all the time for guys that have

that much skill. But they're finding ways to put up the points, do it at both ends of the rink. Yeah, it's not easy every night, but especially going against the top guys. But those guys have really shown a lot of maturity in my books and my eyes and you know I'm impressed by it. With Jake Allen, Devils Leafs tomorrow night, what's your relationship been like with Sheldon Keefe, a guy we're very familiar with up here, you know obviously had a lot of success here and it's his first year in New Jersey, what have you made of Keefe and the way he's handling things?

Yeah, you know I've been impressed, I really? Yeah, you know, I, I've been impressed. I really have obviously, you know, playing against him quite a bit when I was with the Habs for four years and in sort of understanding what, uh, you know, how his team plays and, you know, sort of what they're going to bring and, um, right from day one, he's, uh, he's impressive. He's detailed. He's meticulous. You know, he's obviously very passionate about his position and what

he does. Of all the coaches I've had throughout my 11, 12 years in the league, he's definitely the most detailed and prepared and purposeful coach that I've had. It's really impressive. I think new coaches, sometimes you get into a situation where they try to throw everything at you once and a little bit overwhelming, obviously not for me and Markie in our position, but for the guys up front. And you know, he's done a good job of slowly interpreting things, you know, weekly, bi-weekly

into the systems, little tweaks, little things. And you know, like I said, for me playing against, you know, the Leafs quite a bit over the last four years, I can really see a lot of those systems and tendencies that they brought to the table that made them such a good team for a long time in our game now. He's done a great job. So you've been in the league for a while now. What has been probably the biggest adjustment for a goaltender, let's say in the last 12 years, where the game is at right now with the speed and the skill and what you're seeing nightly compared

to when you first started. Jake? Yeah, no, for sure. When I first came to the league, I think my first game was around 2011, it was way more just north-south, straight line shots, especially if you had a fortunate defensive team in front of you and you're getting pucks from the wing and not a whole lot east-west, obviously the odd play when the skilled players are going to make it, but it was definitely a lot less and now it's some nights as you guys see it and you guys watch all the hockey

and all here with the Leafs and throughout the league, it's just pure chaos some games and that's just the reality of it. So I think you just have to have a good understanding of constantly be ready. You've got to be able to constantly adapt your game. I think that's one thing too, from year to year, even month to month throughout the season, the season progresses. We get the heavier months in March, April heading into the playoffs where the game gets a little bit more grinded, not as open and free flowing. It's constantly adapting and constantly understanding your situations.

Yeah, if you want longevity, I think that's a big thing in the game right now, is constantly trying to find a way to improve and not just stay stagnant. Chad, I'm with Jake Allen. You won the cup in 19 with St. Louis. I don't know if you're familiar with this story, you probably are, that I guess Afghani Malkin had someone break into his house and now he's lost or they may have stolen his cup rings. I guess as a guy who's in that exclusive club, when you hear that, does that make your heart sink?

Do you know where your cup ring is at all times? How do you react to a news story like that? Yeah, I know. We did and there was a bit of chatter on the flight, uh, here to Toronto today about it. And, you know, obviously it's, it's super unfortunate. You never want to see one, your house getting broken into, and then two, you know, someone messes with

your property, especially something that means so much to you deep down. And obviously I'm sure they're going to try to do everything to get them back, but it's still not the same and I know where mine is and, uh, it's, it's still not the same. I know where mine is, and it's in a safe spot, and I know where it is at all times. I don't take it over very much. Leave it at that. Yeah, you don't have to tell us details.

I would be the guy that would lose it. Yeah, I hear you. Yeah, I know it's terrible. Oh, it sucks, man. That story, I was reading it last night after the game. Yeah, I mean, listen. Dude, you can't help but think it's some kind of inside job. Like somebody, like it just goes to like, he's playing a game and this happens.

It's been happening in the NFL, right? Joe Burrow. Dude, no kidding. It's somebody that knows somebody, and I'm not saying like, you know, arena worker, whatever, but somebody knows somebody, detailed schedule, where this stuff would be. It's an inside job, I hate to say it,

but it just has to be. Yeah, it sucks. Yeah. where this stuff would be. It's an inside job, I hate to say it, but it just has to be. Yeah, it sucks. With Jake Allen, so you were doing some media work last year as well. Is that a part of your future plans, Jake? I know you're still rocking in the NHL at this point, but like you mentioned, you'll be 35. What is your plan post-career? I'm keeping all doors open right now. Who knows? I got a little taste of your line of work last year. And honestly, it was a great experience for me. I sort of got the call later in the season.

And I said, why not? I said, why not? See what it's like. I think I was more nervous my first on TV national experience than I was for my first NHL game. I don't even know how to describe it, but it was super cool to see behind the scenes what goes on, the detail, the preparation and all that. Who knows what's going to happen post-Occ for me.

I'd love to stay in the game, but keeping all doors open right now. Absolutely. Well, we're not rushing you out. That's not what we're asking. We're just, we, I thought you did a great job last year and that's different, right? You're under different lights and it's different action. But it was cool to see you doing that and we wish you nothing but success with whatever you're going to do in the future.

But I guess we'll start with tomorrow night against the Leafs. So good luck tomorrow and good luck the rest of the way and thanks for doing this. Anytime, appreciate it. There's Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils joining us here on the Maple Tidal Hotline.