The whole point of trading away Allen now is to give more games to Monty and Allen. Getting another goalie in exchange doesn't make sense.

I like the idea.

This happens at the trade deadline. It would be a very minor issue to “give more games to Monty” when there are only 20ish games left.
The main purpose would be solving goaltending for next season. This trade would accomplish that. It also prevents MTL from retaining on Allen’s cap hit. Which would almost be necessary to move him on his own to get a decent return.

And I’d just find it cool to see MAF in a Habs jersey lol wouldn’t be for long, and there’s no harm in having him now than opposed to a dud contract next season.

Would arguably be a 'story book' ending for the best French Canadian goalie of recent years to finish up in MTL.

It would be pretty cool for fans like us to see a top 5 goaltender ever play and retire in his hometown.

Still, from a team management perspective, MTL needs a Monthy/Primeau duo ASAP!

Can't imagine Fleury wanting to play in MTL to retire at the end of the season instead of trying to get a chance at another cup. He could always sign next year if he wanted to retire as a Hab, maybe a 1-Day contract on home opener even though that is usually done for former players.

Why would Minnesota add a 3rd though?

If they are in a position where they could be buyers, it's probably because Gustavsson regained form or they got someone else, so adding a goalie wouldn't be a pressing need.

Could be more or less. The whole point is MIN would be trading for a veteran goalie for next season. Which I'm assuming they'd do anyway during the offseason. The premise is that this trade happens at the trade deadline and both teams are no longer in playoff contention. Nobody is buying for this season. MIN won't get anything for selling MAF because of the way he's playing. And if MTL were to trade Allen in the offseason, I'd say a 3rd rd pick for one year is close to fair value.

I meant more so that Fleury would want to be given a chance elsewhere, not that Minnesota would get much out of him, but if Minnesota is out and no one wants him the idea of him ending the season in MTL would be reasonable especially if he's thinking of retiring. However, I don't think Minnesota would rush to give a 3rd if they don't need him now, considering that there could be cheaper options in FA or the trade market in the off-season. They only have 10M in cap to fill like 5 or 6 spots.

You may be right. But there’s an argument that, for goalies with similar stats, there won’t be cheaper options.
If Allen maintains his current stats or his career averages (sv% between .900 and .910), similar UFA contracts are all around what Allen is currently making. And these contracts were signed during a flat cap. With the cap increasing. Goalies with sv% of .900+ could exceed $4mil+ aav.

I think they would hope for Gustavsson to rebound so, they probably go for a guy that just needs a chance somewhere or a vet that has been around the block. They might even just play Wallstedt since he would be in the last year of his ELC.