Earlier this week, I had a chance to chat with New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen as part of the DFO Live interview series that Carter Hutton and I are doing, and we discussed three-goalie systems potentially becoming more of the norm.

I figured that would intrigue Edmonton Oilers fans, who are going to see the team attempt to carry three goalies to start the season with Tristan Jarry, Frederik Andersen, and Devon Levi.

Allen was a part of a three-goalie system in Montreal with Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau, and he wasn’t a fan of it, but he did outline how it could work.

“As long as there’s a clear communication path, I don’t see any problem with it, especially the way the game is going,” said Allen. “If I was in that position again, that’s definitely what I would recommend and would like from my vantage point.

“But everyone needs three good goalies, and I’m a realist. Like, I get it, I’d love to be in the net all the time, but if I’m running a hockey team, you’ve got to have three good goalies nowadays.”

That last part is really important when you consider that two of the three netminders the Oilers are going to run with have had injury issues in the past.

Freddie Andersen is in his late thirties and hasn’t played over 40 games in a season since 2021-22. Tristan Jarry got hurt last season and was virtually unplayable once he returned.

The Oilers need to ease the workload on Andersen so he can be ready to go come playoff time, and they need to have insurance in case Jarry falters. That’s where Devon Levi comes into play.

It’s pretty easy to see each netminder’s role, which is what Allen says is the most important part.

For Andersen, he shouldn’t be frustrated with sharing the net because he should know that keeping him fresh for the playoffs is an important part of the plan to try and win a Stanley Cup.

For Levi, he should know that if he follows the development plan this season, then come 2027-28, he has a chance to be a starting goaltender on a Stanley Cup-contending team.

It’s a little bit trickier to describe the exact role that Tristan Jarry will play, but if he delivers good results in the games that he does start, then he will get more chances to play. If he’s truly upset about being in a three-goalie system, well, then the Oilers can send him down to the minors.

His options are to either perform well, be a good teammate, or go to Bakersfield.

Each guy should know their role, and honestly, I think this has a chance to really work for the Oilers.

Allen also talked about how having three goalies on the roster could help teams better manage low points of the season.

“There’s just so much variability,” said Allen. “Every game is so important. You have the internal pressure and you just can’t have peaks and valleys in the seasons anymore. You got to do what you got to do to find a way to get the job done.

“It’s a thing you’re definitely going to see way more in the future. And honestly, I know people talk about it taking up a roster spot. But I think at the end of the day it might actually benefit you and get more points at the end of the year.”

You can find the full interview on the Daily Faceoff YouTube where we cover a range of topics, including an old Halloween party that the two former teammates attended and the sneakiest nasty players in the NHL.

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