Report: Several Teams Are Interested in Trading for the Canadiens’ $7 Million Forward
Jake Evans is one player that might be traded by the Montreal Canadiens, who are having a difficult start and may be sellers at the trade deadline.
According to NHL source Marco D’Amico of RG.com, clubs have expressed interest in dealing for Evans, who is in the latter year of a three-year, $5.1 million contract.
“I’m hearing Jake Evans’ name a lot more so far than (Christian) Dvorak, but the Canadiens have options in terms of being able to move either,” the insider told RG.com. “At least three clubs that I am aware of are now keeping a careful eye on Jake Evans. He is leading the club, excelling on special teams, and playing some of his finest hockey to open the season. Additionally, it’s a contract year. That is what competing teams will search for as a rental, and they often pay heavily.
With two goals and three assists for five points after 11 games, Evans is off to a strong start. Evans is a capable third-line forward who can contribute both excellent defensive play and some scoring to a club that is vying for the Stanley Cup.
The source informed RG.com that despite the fact that clubs have contacted the Canadiens over Evans, the organization is not in a haste to deal the forward.
“Evans is a great penalty kill player for the Canadiens, so they aren’t in a rush to trade him right now.”
Evans shouldn’t be traded at this time because Montreal is still aiming to qualify for the playoffs. However, it does make sense to move the 28-year-old if the Canadiens are eliminated from the playoff picture before the deadline.
Canadiens Investigating Trade Market: Going into play on November 1, Montreal is 4-6-1 and in second-last place in the Atlantic division.
The Canadiens’ start has been disappointing since Montreal was hoping to contend for a postseason berth. According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Montreal is looking to strengthen their team through trades as the Habs are having a sluggish start.
“I think the Canadiens would be open to making a move here that would help sort of shake up the makeup and help this team win some games,” LeBrun stated on TSN’s Early Trading, adding that Hughes is at least gaining an idea of what’s out there. However, we know from a cap system that there are virtually no transactions during this time of year.
LeBrun went on to say, “I don’t think anything is coming up for Montreal.” The Habs aren’t simply sitting there and thinking, ‘Oh well, we’re off to a slow start, that’s life,’ though, and I think that’s notable. As a result, Kent Hughes may have made more calls than he otherwise would have at this early stage of the season. Let’s see where it takes us.
Right now, it’s unclear what the Canadiens will do. However, Montreal is at least trying to enhance its squad in order to try to qualify for the playoffs.
Jake Evans: What Does He Offer a Team?
The success of any NHL club depends on Evans’ ability to kill penalties as a fantastic defensive forward.
As the Habs’ third-line center, Evans plays a crucial role in the team’s elite penalty kill unit, which is ranked eighth in the NHL at 83.8%.
Due to his ability to play late in games and attempt to win important draws in their own end, the 28-year-old is also 49.3% on faceoffs. The centerman’s defensive skills are what teams would be acquiring him for, but he can also contribute some scoring to the third line.
Cole Shelton writes for Heavy.com about the NHL. Since 2016, he has covered collegiate and professional sports, including bylines at Canadian Baseball Network, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, BJ Penn, and others. Additional information on Cole Shelton
