The Montreal Canadiens have started the season slowly and may consider trading players by the deadline, with Jake Evans as a potential candidate for a move.
Evans is in the last year of his three-year, $5.1 million contract, and NHL insider Marco D’Amico of RG.com indicates that several teams are interested in acquiring the forward.
“The Canadiens have alternatives in terms of moving players, but I’m hearing Jake Evans’ name more frequently than (Christian) Dvorak,” the source stated to RG.com. “I’m aware of at least three teams closely monitoring Jake Evans right now. He’s performing at a high level at the start of the season, serves as a leader on the ice, and excels on special teams. Plus, it’s a contract year, making him an appealing rental for playoff-bound teams who typically pay well.”
Evans has made a solid beginning, tallying 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 11 games. He can serve as a reliable third-line forward who contributes to scoring while providing strong defensive support.
Despite interest from other teams, the source told RG.com that Montreal is not eager to trade Evans at this moment.
“The Canadiens aren’t in a hurry to move Evans, as he’s vital to their penalty kill.”
Montreal still aims to make the playoffs, so trading Evans now wouldn’t be logical. However, if the Canadiens are out of playoff contention by the deadline, moving the 28-year-old could be a sensible option.
Canadiens Considering Trade Options
Montreal currently holds a record of 4-6-1 as of November 1, placing them second-to-last in the Atlantic division.
This slow start is disappointing for the Canadiens, who had hoped to contend for a playoff position. Consequently, with the team’s struggles, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reports that Montreal is exploring trade options to enhance their roster.
“[Hughes] is at least assessing what’s available, as I believe the Canadiens would be open to making moves that could shake up the team and help them secure some wins,” LeBrun noted on Early Trading on TSN. “However, there are typically very few trades at this time of year due to the cap system.”
“I don’t see anything imminent for Montreal,” LeBrun continued. “But it’s significant that the Habs aren’t just passively accepting a slow start. This situation has motivated Kent Hughes to make more inquiries than he typically would at this stage. We’ll see what comes of it.”
The nature of any potential move by the Canadiens remains uncertain. Nonetheless, Montreal is actively looking to make adjustments to improve their chances for a playoff run.
What Does Jake Evans Contribute?
Evans is a strong defensive forward who plays a crucial role on the penalty kill, which is vital for any NHL team’s success.
As Montreal’s third-line center, Evans is integral to the top penalty kill unit, currently ranked 8th in the NHL with an 83.8% success rate, in which he plays a key role.
At 28 years old, he has a faceoff win percentage of 49.3%, making him reliable in late-game situations for crucial draws in the defensive zone. While he can also contribute offensively on the third line, teams acquiring him would primarily value his defensive prowess.