Fair deal leafs side

Murray was better than Allen last season. Murray is also more likely to be the starting goalie that the Leafs need. He has at least been that goalie before while Allen has never measured up.

difference netween the 2 isnt enough to give up knies if at all

To say ottawas defense is better than montreals is laughable. Allen’s save percentage was one .001 less than murray. One is cheaper and better and the other is more expensive and worse. Knies isn’t untouchable and Hutson is solid return for him.

Allen's save percentage was .001 less but the underlying fancy stats are much worse. It's because Ottawa allowed much more dangerous chances than Montreal did. Murray was better in every way than Allen last season and has been better across his career. There shouldn't be any doubt who is the better goalie between the 2 and it's not the one you want it to be.

Beyond that, you are ignoring what the Leafs need in net. The Leafs don't need another backup, they need someone capable of being the starting goalie. Murray has at least done this in his career, including playoff runs, while Allen has never been able to. It's much more likely for a 28 year old to return to form than it is for a 32 year old to break new ground.

worse defense?

edmundson, petry, savard, chiarot, kulak, romanov, wideman, clague, scheuneman
chabot, zub, holden, brannstrom, del zotto, zaitsev, mete, brown, thomson

Chabot > Petry
Zub > Edmundson
Holden < Chiarot (lost after TDL)
Brannstrom < Romanov
Del Zotto < Kulak (lost after TDL)
Zaitsev > Savard
Mete = Wideman
Brown > Clague
Thomson > Scheuneman

maybe not a better defense but allen played behind a very injury-plagued habs defense. none of the defensemen played over 68 games except for romanov who played 79