Welcome back to another edition of NHL Rumours from the crew here at Last Word on Hockey. We’re inching closer to the March 7th deadline and things are starting to heat up. Some teams have essentially had the final nail put into the coffin in terms of their playoff chances while others are still trying to figure out if they’re going to be a buyer or seller when the deadline hits. One of those teams is the Montreal Canadiens. In this NHL Rumours segment, we focus on the lastest in the contract talks between the Canadiens and pending unrestricted free agent, Jake Evans.
All NHL Rumours come from their original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours: Pending UFA Forward on the Cusp of Being Dealt
Rumour: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun spoke on the latest contract talks between the Canadiens and Jake Evans. LeBrun states that the two sides remain far apart in their negotiations.
EARLY TRADING – @PierreVLeBrun has the latest on Mikko Rantanen and Jake Evans with 11 days until #TradeCentre: https://t.co/ll5FEfrSJb
Watch an expanded Insider Trading later today on SportsCentre and https://t.co/BQGeAnElqf. pic.twitter.com/ylIhzv1euR
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 25, 2025
Analysis: This has been a season-long conversation between Habs fans, media, and especially the two parties involved. The Canadiens have been having a rollercoaster of a season where they’ve found themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference to now right back in the mix for a playoff spot. This is what makes it hard to move a player of Evans calibre. You don’t want to sell off a player like Evans when you’re fighting for a playoff spot. Evans is far to important to lose and once you deal a player like that, you’re telling your team you don’t really have faith in them.
However, asset management is a crucial part of being a General Manager in the NHL. The Canadiens can’t afford to go into the off-season without a deal in place and risk losing him in free agency. Given his low cap-hit of just $1.7 million, Evans is an extremely attractive trade piece. The low cap hit won’t handcuff the team acquiring his services from making another move which should create a bidding war for the two-way forward. Which is great news for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens moving forward. LeBrun also mentioned the possibility of potentially packaging Evans with his penalty killing partner Joel Armia, which would further help the Canadiens get an even greater return. While this was more of a thinking out loud scenario, Armia’s name has popped up in the rumour mill this season, so it’s not too far-fetched.
Big Decision Coming for Kent Hughes
Though it all sounds great to sell and get a solid return for a player like Evans, the Canadiens would still be without his services moving forward. Sure there’s the odd chance that he signs back with the club in the offseason, it’s not a given. Being just 28 years old and in his prime as the Canadiens are just starting to become competitive, that’s a massive hole they would need to fill. It gives the vibes of the Phillip Danault situation, albeit, of a little less magnitude.
Evans has solidified himself as one of the most important players on the Canadiens roster over the last few seasons. He’s relied on heavily as the club’s shutdown centre and number-one penalty killer. He’s also a player who can move up and down the lineup as needed depending on injuries or just to try to mix things up to create a spark. Evans has been trusted to play in every situation and has become the metaphorical Swiss Army Knife for the Canadiens. Evans is also on pace to beat his career numbers in goals and points as he sits with 11 goals and 27 points on the year. He’s the type of player every team wants. Including his current team, the Montreal Canadiens.
It’s a tough spot to be in for Kent Hughes and surely, he would love to keep Evans. However, it’s great to have options. Hughes certainly won’t be looking for mid-round picks for Evans, so whatever he gets in return for him should move the needle for the Canadiens quite a bit. This is a story to keep a close eye on as we inch closer to the March 7th deadline.
Main Photo: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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