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NHL Rumours: Update on Nashville Predators RFA Forward

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It’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re closing in on the start of training camp. However, there are a number of unanswered questions heading into the start of the hockey season. The chatter has mostly revolved around players that are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1 if they don’t re-sign. However, we’ve got plenty to discuss when it comes to restricted free agents. A few players have signed deals, but there are some RFAs that haven’t signed as of yet.

One player who has a key RFA is the Nashville Predators. This edition of NHL rumours deals with how talks are progressing with that key young player and the Predators.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

Nashville Predators, Key RFA Far Apart in Contract Talks

Rumour: We have the latest information on the status of talks between the Predators and Luke Evangelista, who remains unsigned.

Analysis: The first source we go to is TSN’s Insider Trading and Chris Johnston said that the two sides are far apart. Camp is slated to start soon, but it doesn’t like Evangelista will be in the fold for the start of it.

The report of him not attending camp came from The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta. He added that the Predators are looking to sign the 23-year-old to a long-term deal. The insider that the ask is a reasonable one, but the term seems to be the sticking point.

Evangelista supplied 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 68 games last season in Nashville. The second-round pick of the 2020 NHL Draft figures into the plans for general manager Barry Trotz and head coach Andrew Brunette.

Nashville starts its season on October 9 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, one wonders if the situation will play out like how Jeremy Swayman‘s did with the Boston Bruins. The goalie missed training camp and the start of the season in 2024-25. Missing camp could have played a hand in the Alaskan goalie’s struggles.

What It Means

Pagnotta also added that talks have been “tumultuous” between the two sides. Negotiations can sometimes get testy, but one wonders if there could be some acrimony when all is said and done.

Evangelista is young and hasn’t had a season above 40 points, but the Predators like his game. It wasn’t a pleasant campaign in 2024-25 for Nashville and the team may lean on younger players like Evangelista if things go south once again.

The Predators came in last season with a ton of buzz. However, a bad start doomed the team to finishing with the third-worst record in the league. Another stumble out the gate could result in younger players like Evangelista and others getting more prominent spots in the lineup.

It does seem that a number of players are trying to get mid-range deals to coincide with the rising salary cap. One can’t blame a player for wanting to get maximum value. However, the teams want to know how to move forward before the start of training camp.

Main photo by: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

The post NHL Rumours: Update on Nashville Predators RFA Forward appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.