The Montreal Canadiens are having a slow start to the season and might consider selling at the trade deadline, with Jake Evans being a potential trade candidate.
Evans, in the final year of his three-year, $5.1 million contract, has drawn interest from several teams, according to NHL insider Marco D’Amico of RG.com. “The Canadiens have options, but I’m hearing Jake Evans’ name mentioned more frequently than (Christian) Dvorak,” the source noted. “At least three teams are closely watching Evans. He’s playing some of his best hockey to start the season, is a leader, and excels on special teams. Since it’s a contract year, contending teams often seek rentals like him and typically pay a premium.”
In 11 games this season, Evans has recorded 2 goals and 3 assists, showcasing his ability as a solid third-line forward who can contribute offensively and defensively for a playoff contender. Despite interest from other teams, the Canadiens are not in a hurry to trade him, as he plays a crucial role on their penalty kill.
Montreal remains hopeful for a playoff spot, so trading Evans at this time may not be in their best interest. However, if they fall out of contention by the trade deadline, moving the 28-year-old could become a viable option.
The Canadiens are currently 4-6-1 as of November 1, sitting near the bottom of the Atlantic division. This slow start is disappointing, as they had hoped to compete for a playoff berth. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun indicated that the Canadiens are exploring trade options to enhance their roster.
“Hughes is gauging what’s available, as the Canadiens are open to moves that could shake things up and help the team win more games,” LeBrun said. However, he noted that trades are rare at this time of year due to the salary cap. “Nothing is imminent for Montreal, but it’s significant that they’re actively exploring options instead of passively accepting their slow start.”
While it’s unclear what moves the Canadiens might make, they are clearly looking to improve their roster in hopes of making a playoff push.
As for Jake Evans, he brings strong defensive skills and is a key player on the Canadiens’ top penalty kill unit, which ranks 8th in the NHL at 83.8%. He’s also reliable in faceoffs, winning 49.3% of them, making him a valuable asset late in games. Teams acquiring Evans would primarily be looking for his defensive contributions.
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