Canadiens Center Emerges as Key Trade Asset for Contenders, Per David Pagnotta
Photo credit: Marc Dumont-Montreal Hockey Now
The Montreal Canadiens are likely not making the playoffs this year, which has put their centerman Jake Evans at the center of trade rumors to contending teams.
The Montreal Canadiens have several pieces in play ahead of the trade deadline later this season.
As much as veteran players are drawing most of the attention from the public, one of the centers of the Habs is quietly emerging as a name to watch as the season goes along.
Jake Evans, 28, is in the final year of a three-year, $5.1 million contract and has a manageable $1.7 million cap hit with no trade protection, all factors that make him attractive to teams looking to beef up their depth.
Must read on Hockey Trade Rumours
As David Pagnotta said on Wednesday's edition of 'The Latest' on TFP, Evans is a bottom-six forward who's already on the radar of several Stanley Cup contenders.
«Remember, this is a player that performed well for the Canadians in a fourth-line role when they went on to face Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final a few years ago - he's got playoff experience at a young age,» Pagnotta said. «He's got that great cap hit, as you mentioned. So, there wouldn't even need to be necessarily retention from Montreal's perspective. For teams looking to stabilize their bottom-six, Evans is going to be a prime target for a lot of Cup contenders. Not sure if they've had any discussions to this point on an extension, but teams like Toronto, teams like Los Angeles, other clubs that want to bolster their bottom-six, Evans is going to be right there. And we'll see how the Canadians maneuver that, because they know how valuable of a piece he can be and that cap hit alone is attractive.»
Evans has 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in 22 games with Montreal this season, proving he can chip in some offense in a depth role.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of those teams thought to be considering the opportunity of Evans. The Leafs have been pegged with a deep playoff run and seem to be focusing on roster depth, especially at center.
Evans' versatility and responsible two-way game could bring much-needed stability to the bottom six for them and also become that insurance policy during the playoffs.
Similarly, the Edmonton Oilers can use Evans's inexpensive contract and presence. With salary cap difficulties looming large, Evans has contributions to offer without really denting the budget.
His defensive reliability and years of experience make him an easy fit for a team keen on firming up a lineup navigating these trying times.
In that way, Evans' services would also be beneficial to the Colorado Avalanche. His style of play fits with Colorado's speed and agility, and he complements their high-paced action on the ice.
With his ability to contribute on both ends of the ice, Evans would improve the Avs' depth as they strive for a championship.
Meanwhile, Dennis Bernstein reiterated that Montreal defensemen David Savard and Mike Matheson are also likely to be in high demand as the season goes on.
Savard, on the last year of his deal, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, while Matheson has one year remaining on his contract after this season.
Both can become highly sought-after options for contenders seeking to shore up their blue lines.
| POLL | ||
28 NOVEMBRE | 135 ANSWERS Canadiens Center Emerges as Key Trade Asset for Contenders, Per David Pagnotta Will the Canadiens trade Jake Evans this season? | ||
| Yes | 73 | 54.1 % |
| No | 62 | 45.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
