Rumor: Evans asking for $4M x 5 years

[schwang26]

I don't see why Hughes can't get a guy who is 30-ish, like a Bennett, who will be 29, for the long term as an example (I'm not saying Bennett, per se, will agree to sign with Montreal, just talking about the age and the impact such a player might have), or a Duchene as a stop-gap short term addition, who is still fast and still producing near a PPG pace, even if he will be 34 at the start of next season, or some other option that might be available, but a bit older than the actual core?

Another C, younger than the actual core average age right now, might well become ready to complement the current core as the immediate future 2C starts to dwindle.

Actually, all your players being the same age rarely happens and it becomes that much harder to keep them together.

Yes but what I’m saying is, let’s say they get this guy in the offseason. The Habs window maybe opens in 2 years. Now this guy is 31 just when they start making the playoffs. Is he still effective? What about the following year? The year after?

 

[The Great Weal]

I said under 30 years old. Duchene didn't came to mtl last time even with more $ offered.

I'm pretty sure we were his second choice.

Nelson is not coming in Canada.

Probably true.

Down and Pius Suter will cost you as much as Evans on the open market.

I seriously doubt that. Contrary to what many claim here, until 4th liners actually sign for 4 million/year longterm, it's not the norm. It's not comparable to the Lehkonen scenario at all given how Lehkonen was a top 9 player and got top 9 player money like Anderson.

Gourde is 5ft8, do we really want another small player?

Gourde's compete overcomes his size.

I guess we could go for Faksa but what if doesn't want to sign with us? We go with Condotta?

Suzuki
Dach
Beck
Condotta

Why are we opposed to adding 30+ year old? In fact, a 30+ year old on a short term deal seems like the perfect scenario until guys like Beck/Kapanen/Hage establish themselves more.

 

[austin316]

Very reasonable ask by Evans, especially with the cap going up exponentially.

 

[Bacchus1]

4mil X5 years seems fine. What would be better? 3.5 mil X 5?

 

[Toene]

Everything depends on what they could get for him. If the offer is great like a good prospect or a 2nd, I'd do it, but I really like Evans. I think it's cool to reward your late-round picks that you developed in-house.

Honestly, people seem to not understand how much the cap is rising. 4M of a total 113M is nothing. If that's the price he asks I'm 100% comfortable with it. Haggle it down to 3,5 and it's a steal imo.

 

[EveryDay]

I'm pretty sure we were his second choice.

Probably true.

I seriously doubt that. Contrary to what many claim here, until 4th liners actually sign for 4 million/year longterm, it's not the norm. It's not comparable to the Lehkonen scenario at all given how Lehkonen was a top 9 player and got top 9 player money like Anderson.

Gourde's compete overcomes his size.

Why are we opposed to adding 30+ year old? In fact, a 30+ year old on a short term deal seems like the perfect scenario until guys like Beck/Kapanen/Hage establish themselves more.

Still I dont expect Duchene to come here, he's going for the cup.

Pius Suter is not a 4th liner, hes often on the 1st or 2nd line as a winger. He's the Swiss knife of Vancouver, he's going to sign for minimum 3.5M.

Nick Dowd is in my opinion the best 4th line center in the NHL, I'm truly expecting 3M+ in his next deal.

Gourde might be an option but how is he on PK and face-off ?

 

[Halakitlikethat]

I’d do something like 6x3.5

 

[The Last Red]

51 will play higher in the lineup next season.

 

[LaP]

I've seen enough of Beck to know he wont take two years to fill his shoes so trade.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

I dont like the number 4 for him.. 3.9 is the absolute maximum. Give him his 5 years @ 3.9 mil. If he says he wants 4 trade him. The straw that breaks the Camel's back.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

I've seen enough of Beck to know he wont take two years to fill his shoes so trade.

Beck is perfect to start at the 4C position. Heavens should play 3C. Then maybe in a couple years Beck takes the 3C and Evans goes down to 4C.

 

[LaP]

Beck is perfect to start at the 4C position. Heavens should play 3C. Then maybe in a couple years Beck takes the 3C and Evans goes down to 4C.

Ben is not a couple of years from being a good 3rd line center.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Everything depends on what they could get for him. If the offer is great like a good prospect or a 2nd, I'd do it, but I really like Evans. I think it's cool to reward your late-round picks that you developed in-house.

Honestly, people seem to not understand how much the cap is rising. 4M of a total 113M is nothing. If that's the price he asks I'm 100% comfortable with it. Haggle it down to 3,5 and it's a steal imo.

2nd is not good enough for him unless there he wants far too much and they can't package him to get a 1st.

 

[Michelangelo]

2nd is not good enough for him unless there he wants far too much and they can't package him to get a 1st.

Didn't we draft Hutson with a 2nd, the one we got for Brett Kulak?

No reason not to take it imo

 

[DAChampion]

Didn't we draft Hutson with a 2nd, the one we got for Brett Kulak?

No reason not to take it imo

Romanov, Lehkonen, and Subban were also second rounders.

 

[RabbleMasterBlaster]

Honestly, that doesn't bother me. Out of all the UFA's, Evans is the one I'm most interested in extending. Ideally it would be a little less in terms of cap. But the term doesn't bother me at all. And even at 4M, I'm willing to hold onto Evans.

What if he ends up like Gallagher? 5 years is a long time. 3.5 seems more reasonable for 5 years. Easier pill to swallow Imo.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

4 x 3.5 and no trade protection

 

[SlafySZN]

It’s the highest his value is ever gonna be.

There’s no easier decision, you trade him.

 

[Banjo Cat]

What if he ends up like Gallagher? 5 years is a long time. 3.5 seems more reasonable for 5 years. Easier pill to swallow Imo.

That's what I keep thinking. 5 years at that salary is too long. Haven't we had enough untrade-able players?

 

[Cinemaforum]

I don't mind Duchene at 8x2. There's some cap to spend

 

[Habssince89]

The thing is Beck should not be the Evans replacement. If they decide trading Evans they need to have a plan in place to replace him that isn't forcing beck into a shutdown role. I want Beck to have his shooting and offensive play encouraged

 

[Hoochi Papa]

There's no upside in this deal. He's a great guy but also a 4th line center. People may think good 4th line centers are secret Swiss knives and keys for well-balanced team but in reality they are the easiest to replace. Give his place to a journeyman or a young prospect in the pipeline.

He has deserved his bag and will get it somewhere. But these are the type of free agency deals that sour very soon.