Jake Evans

Position: C

Age: 28

Statistics: 11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points (56 points)

Contract: $1.7 million (pending unrestricted free agent)

Player Overview 

Jake Evans has been a depth player for the Montreal Canadiens and primarily playing in their bottom six. He has primarily slotted next to Emil Heineman and Joel Armia this season. Recently, Evans has replaced Juraj Slafkovsky on the top line, which is rewarding for him. 

Over the last three seasons, Evans impacts have been a bit troublesome. Defensively, his five-on-five metrics are about league average, however, he’s been struggling immensely on the penalty kill. Despite this, he has always excelled on the face-off dot. Evans has won over 50% of his draws the last three seasons. This year, specifically, he’s at 52.8%.

Offensively, he has been much better. In his career, he has reached the 20-point mark three times in six seasons and three in the last four years. In a contract-year, he is on pace to have his highest output.

As it currently stands, Evans has 27 points in 56 games and is on pace for 39 points. Specifically, he is on pace for 16 goals, which beats his previous career-high of 13 set during the 2021-22 season.

Contract Situation

Jake Evans is in the final year of his current contract. He previously signed a three-year deal with an average annual value of $1.7 million. This means he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and free to sign with whomever. If the Devils did acquire him, he’s likely a pure rental.

According to Dom Luszczyszyn of the Athletic, Evans owns a current value of $3.3 million.

Potential Package

Elliotte Friedman, on the 32 Thoughts podcast, discussed the possibility of a trade involving Evans and what the current asking price is. He confirmed Montreal is currently asking for a second-round pick in return for their 281year-old center.

The Devils have three second-round picks in 2025, then one each the next two seasons. Despite also being not exactly plush on cap space, they currently have more than enough room to bring in the $1.7 million cap hit of Evans.

Potential Fit With the Devils

If the Devils were to acquire Evans from the Canadiens, he would slot in well. Along with Erik Haula, who has been a good depth center for the Devils since coming over in the trade for Pavel Zacha, Evans would give New Jersey a solid duo to round out their center group.

The Devils big guns are running the show right now. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt are shouldering the workload for the Devils, as they both have 60-plus points. Next closest? Hischier with 43 and Timo Meier with 38. The Devils need more out of their depth and adding Evans helps provide that. 

Evans is also in the midst of a career season and has been a lock for 20-plus points in three of the last four seasons. Evans gives the Devils options, which is great for head coach Sheldon Keefe and his ability to construct the lineup. But does it make sense?

Evans would be a good player for the Devils to have as a complimentary depth piece. However, at the rumored price, would he be worth it? Not to mention, Evans would likely be strictly a rental, though, with Haula hitting the open market as season’s end, maybe Evans can be a replacement long term.

A further issue with that proposition is Evans is enduring a career-year where he is shooting an unsustainable 19.6%. Not even the best shooters in the league are able to maintain a rate like that for an extended period of time, not to mention, his career average sits at 9.9%. Paying any player, who’s having a career-year thanks in large part to an inflated shooting percentage is an extremely risky endeavor. Not to mention, Evans’ on-ice impacts aren’t exactly encouraging over the last three seasons.

Based off the price tag, the fact Evans is a pending free agent, and any new extension would be full of risk, it appears general manager Tom Fitzgerald may be best going a different route. However, things change, including price tag, and if a deal is able to be had at a more respectable number, Evans would provide much-needed depth down the middle for the Devils.