Player Discussion Jake Evans (Part II)

[BLONG7]

Hughes is proactive and forward looking, if he wanted Evans as part of the team long-term he likely would've started talks already and tried to extend him in the off-season.

From Evans point of view, I am sure he loves playing here, but I think he'll want to go elsewhere as a UFA. He's in his late 20's and probably has seen the contacts guys like Copp, Compher, Stephenson etc. got and will want to try his luck on the market. There will also surely be teams who will give him more of a chance offensively on a higher line compared to the Habs have.

Personally if I was in Evans shoes as a UFA I would be pretty annoyed. He started the season with Gallagher/Anderson and that line was one of our better lines, then he got dropped to the 4th line with Heineman/Armia and helped make that line one of our better lines. Despite this, he's watched Dach get unlimited chances in our top 6 and on the PP while not earning any of it.

IF Evans did come back, I'd be happy giving up to $4M. He's always worked his ass off, is elite on the PK, puts up 25-30 points a year and can always be put on the wing if we are deep down the middle in the future.

I would keep Evans also.......................3.75-4M for his $$$ and another 4-5 years max on term.

 

[JianYang]

Hughes is proactive and forward looking, if he wanted Evans as part of the team long-term he likely would've started talks already and tried to extend him in the off-season.

From Evans point of view, I am sure he loves playing here, but I think he'll want to go elsewhere as a UFA. He's in his late 20's and probably has seen the contacts guys like Copp, Compher, Stephenson etc. got and will want to try his luck on the market. There will also surely be teams who will give him more of a chance offensively on a higher line compared to the Habs have.

Personally if I was in Evans shoes as a UFA I would be pretty annoyed. He started the season with Gallagher/Anderson and that line was one of our better lines, then he got dropped to the 4th line with Heineman/Armia and helped make that line one of our better lines. Despite this, he's watched Dach get unlimited chances in our top 6 and on the PP while not earning any of it.

IF Evans did come back, I'd be happy giving up to $4M. He's always worked his ass off, is elite on the PK, puts up 25-30 points a year and can always be put on the wing if we are deep down the middle in the future.

He's proactive with the younger guys who he identifies as core peices moving forward.

Evans is on a different boat. He probably doesn't want to handcuff himself at this time because the way Evans is playing is going to have value on the trade market, so that option needs to be explored.

I wouldnt even be shocked if hugo don't even have a decision on how to move forward with the Evans situation to this point. It's a tough call.

 

[Naslundforever]

Evans now with 2 threads on page 1 and a fan-estimated ufa value up like 500k with his play this week

 

[Tyson]

Evans should be signed % but I doubt he does. Why wouldn't he test the UFA market?
While I think Evans is a better player than 4.5 million per season Dvorak I doubt Hughes will pay him that much.

 

[Rapala]

Evans now with 2 threads on page 1 and a fan-estimated ufa value up like 500k with his play this week

What was his base value coming into the season he does a number of different things above average.
I'm not going to speculate on what he will be worth on the Open Market but I'm always leery of a contract season performance.

Apparently there are already teams showing interest and the reasons for Jake to be testing the waters are numerous.
It starts with playing some meaningful hockey to finish off the season; Playoffs and another shot at the Cup seeing his last one got derailed.
A good performance in the post season sets him up perfectly for his UFA contract.

For me Jake gets us a first round pick as his total impact on a contender has to be valued at Sean Monahan's level.
HuGo is playing both sides of the fence and how could they not be but the odds are heavily stacked against him re-signing before TDL IMO.

 

[sampollock]

Jake Evans is on pace for 51 points this season.

If that pace continues into March, Evans' camp could easily ask for $4/$4.5 million with a mandate; but the Habs might be able to get a 1st rounder for him at the deadline.

Canadiens fans, would you sign him to a long-term deal with a $4M AAV?" - Marco D'Amico

 

[JianYang]

I know each year is it's own market, but assuming that last year's market will be similar to this year, I don't think Evans grabs a 1st round pick.

If monahan snatched a first, I think Evans might go for a 2nd if he keeps going the way he is.

 

[malcb33]

For me Jake gets us a first round pick as his total impact on a contender has to be valued at Sean Monahan's level.
HuGo is playing both sides of the fence and how could they not be but the odds are heavily stacked against him re-signing before TDL IMO.

If HuGo can get a 1st round pick for him, the trigger should be pulled without hesitating. I like Jake, but he's replaceable, especially if he's asking for something in the range of 3.5M+.

A late 2nd is where it would cause me to weigh my options, because we have a lot of picks already. Beck could fill Evan's role and then some (with some patience) but having more options at centre certainly doesn't hurt.

 

[Rapala]

I know each year is it's own market, but assuming that last year's market will be similar to this year, I don't think Evans grabs a 1st round pick.

If monahan snatched a first, I think Evans might go for a 2nd if he keeps going the way he is.

It will be interesting to see what happens with him. It depends on if a team values him as a 3 or a 4.
As a 3 with his PK his impact can be very influential in a 7 game series.

 

[JianYang]

It will be interesting to see what happens with him. It depends on if a team values him as a 3 or a 4.
As a 3 with his PK his impact can be very influential in a 7 game series.

I think teams that will be most interested are contenders for obvious reasons. Contenders will ideally want someone with a bit more size than Jake for the roles he would slot into as they get into tighter playoff games against cream of the crop teams.

I view him more as a nice insurance policy for those contenders rather than a primary choice to fill that kind of role.

 

[Rapala]

If HuGo can get a 1st round pick for him, the trigger should be pulled without hesitating. I like Jake, but he's replaceable, especially if he's asking for something in the range of 3.5M+.

A late 2nd is where it would cause me to weigh my options, because we have a lot of picks already. Beck could fill Evan's role and then some (with some patience) but having more options at centre certainly doesn't hurt.

We aren't keeping him if he isn't signed before TDL.
It might be wise to go public with rumors of some negotiations happening.
It might cause a bit of panic in the buyer's market if they covet him.

I think teams that will be most interested are contenders for obvious reasons. Contenders will ideally want someone with a bit more size than Jake for the roles he would slot into as they get into tighter playoff games against cream of the crop teams.

I view him more as a nice insurance policy for those contenders rather than a primary choice to fill that kind of role.

True he isn't built like TJ Oshie.

 

[schwang26]

My first born!

 

[Monsieur Miz]

This guy has always been good, it was the injuries that were a problem.

If we don't sign him, I feel like he'll have a Lekhonen type of career elsewhere.

But at the same time, there's no way he asks less than Dvorak and 4.5 is way too much. Unless he really loves it here, it's kind of written in the stars that he'll test the UFA market.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Evans should be signed % but I doubt he does. Why wouldn't he test the UFA market?
While I think Evans is a better player than 4.5 million per season Dvorak I doubt Hughes will pay him that much.

The only UFA's that should % be signed are franchise players who are also team leaders. Evans is someone that I would love for them to sign and every effort should be made to do so but his asking price/term will dictate whether he stays or goes.

You obviously have a price that is too much for Jake Evans so it can not be 100%. This is basically Lehkonen all over again but we are further along in the rebuild and Jake is even more versatile than Lehkonen was. He has shown too well against too many teams to have not been noticed and Hughes has an incredibly tough decision between trading him for a strong return or keeping him and paying him more than he may be comfortable with.

I personally would try to keep him and overpay a little because we have so many young core guys on great contracts. He is already a high end 3C who can fill in at 2C while being a strong 200 foot center with a career 51% faceoff percentage and a very good pker.

His character and the ease with which he navigates Marty'a system holds value above his counting stats and that needs to be carefully contemplated imo.