Player Discussion Jake Evans (Part II)

[417]

I get not wanting to overpay, but this idea of replaceable bottom 6 is how you end up like Toronto. Why replace Evans with Beck if we can have both? The thought of 3 excellent defensive centres makes me drool.

The Habs just aren't deep enough as an organization to say they have another player in the system right now ready to replace what Evans brings to the line up.

Not at THIS stage of their "rebuild"...if this was 2-3 years ago and Evans was who he is now, the answer would be simple, trade him.

But right now, i'm trying to structure a deal that makes sense for him and the team, because he's valuable.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'd prefer Evans at 3 x $4M over a late 1st, as he stabilizes the bottom 6. But if he is unwilling to sign prior to TDL then yes, i'd take the 1st. Asset management.

I'm on the fence. If we get the late 1st and are not able to package picks/prospects to fill a RD or C hole, I don't think I like the idea of adding a B+ prospect vs having Evans around for 3 more years. Yeah, I wish I had more information to make this decision.

I feel Evans is being pushed by his agent to say we will sing for 5x $4.5M or test UFA. Pretty sure they will shoot for the 5 year term and the Habs prefer 3. I rather overpay slightly for 3 years than the 5 year term.

 

[hvac412]

Newhook was definitely a big mistake, is Hughes going to fix it or just ride it out ?

 

[CTHabsfan]

The Habs just aren't deep enough as an organization to say they have another player in the system right now ready to replace what Evans brings to the line up.

Not at THIS stage of their "rebuild"...if this was 2-3 years ago and Evans was who he is now, the answer would be simple, trade him.

But right now, i'm trying to structure a deal that makes sense for him and the team, because he's valuable.

If Jake Evans was the player he was 2-3 years ago, everyone on this board would be fine with trading him, although there might not be any takers and, even if there were, the Canadiens wouldn't get much in return. The Canadiens should treat Jake Evans like the Vegas Golden Knights treat their players. If Evans is willing to sign a reasonable deal, keep him. If Evans wants too much, he can be replaced, and a good management team should certainly be able to find an adequate replacement.

 

[417]

If Jake Evans was the player he was 2-3 years ago, everyone on this board would be fine with trading him, although there might not be any takers and, even if there were, the Canadiens wouldn't get much in return. The Canadiens should treat Jake Evans like the Vegas Golden Knights treat their players. If Evans is willing to sign a reasonable deal, keep him. If Evans wants too much, he can be replaced, and a good management team should certainly be able to find an adequate replacement.

Agreed...I just don't see how they couldn't' find common ground.

I think Evans likes it here and he's valued and the Habs have the money to pay him.

Unless he's asking for 4.5-5M, which i'd be shocked, there's no reason they can't come to an agreement.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Will be interesting to see how he does over the next month.

That line was working well together.

 

[Deebs]

Canadiens mailbag: What will it take to sign Jake Evans?

What will it take to sign Jake Evans? Will David Savard make it past the trade deadline? Eric Engels answers these questions and more in his Canadiens mailbag.

www.sportsnet.ca

I say the Canadiens and Evans end up compromising on a four-year, $14-million contract before the trade deadline.

 

[sampollock]

Renaud Lavoie expressed optimism on BPM Sports this morning that he expected a resolution by March 7.

On the speculation side, Sportsnet's Eric Engels mentioned the possibility of a four-year contract, worth around $3.5 million annually.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Ok
But why do I want another extra 1st at this stage of the build?
(We already have TWO this year anyway amazingly lol)
Losing a crucial player like Evans for a bag of magic beans can set us back a couple years.. we're no longer in the 'try to lose, try to acquire more draft assets'

That's why it's obvious he's getting re-signed
He brings too much to the team
And he *obviously* loves it here and wants to stay with all his close friends and see this build through to the end

Now, it obviously takes Jake playing ball with us
And I just don't see why he wouldn't want to anymore, just for a 'few extra bucks', go somewhere new maybe not as fun a place, basically 'starting all over again'
I just don't see it

He's gonna be a Hab

My guess is that there’s likely no one in that locker room that wants to leave the team right now

 

[Habs Halifax]

Evans and his agent have to consider the following options:

1) Demand 5x $4.5M+ if anybody wants to extend him before July 1st.

2) How does Evans perform in the second half and if he is traded, how does he do with a new team and culture? Sometimes they don't skip a beat but we have seen players struggle with change of teams. His value may go backwards a bit if he struggles on a new team. Difficult to know team fit.

3) Take the 3 year extension at $4M from the Habs. That's $12M vs the $22.5M in item one above. In this case, he allows the Habs to be cap competitive and conservative because we don't know what Demidov will get after his 3 year ELC. It also allows the Habs to properly develop Beck/Kapanen and Hage without rushing them to fill a 3C spot when they might not be ready

After 3 years, Evans is 32 needing a new contract and the cap is much higher than today. Evans also has time to further reinforce his game and at 32, he might be able to do another 3 year term at $5M+. Cap is probably $100M+ by then.

Stay with the team you developed on and a culture you know or chase the money on a new team and hope he fits well. He can easily make more money if he is open to 3 year extensions at a time.

 

[DAChampion]

Evans and his agent have to consider the following options:

1) Demand 5x $4.5M+ if anybody wants to extend him before July 1st.

2) How does Evans perform in the second half and if he is traded, how does he do with a new team and culture? Sometimes they don't skip a beat but we have seen players struggle with change of teams. His value may go backwards a bit if he struggles on a new team. Difficult to know team fit.

3) Take the 3 year extension at $4M from the Habs. That's $12M vs the $22.5M in item one above. In this case, he allows the Habs to be cap competitive and conservative because we don't know what Demidov will get after his 3 year ELC. It also allows the Habs to properly develop Beck/Kapanen and Hage without rushing them to fill a 3C spot when they might not be ready

After 3 years, Evans is 32 needing a new contract and the cap is much higher than today. Evans also has time to further reinforce his game and at 32, he might be able to do another 3 year term at $5M+. Cap is probably $100M+ by then.

Stay with the team you developed on and a culture you know or chase the money on a new team and hope he fits well. He can easily make more money if he is open to 3 year extensions at a time.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If I'm Evans, I go for the most money possible now.

 

[Sorinth]

So even with his shooting % dropping as expected, he's still getting quality chances and there's a lot of value in being able to generate chances even when you don't captitalize on them. The game is often about momentum, and even without scoring when you create a 2-1 or a breakaway you help build momentum for your team.

So when people ask would we still want Evans signed when the goal scoring dries up, the answer is yes. Dach's re-emergence has pushed Evans out of the defacto 2nd line spot, but like he did last night he showed he can be an important piece both through non-scoring contributions like defence and PK, but also by helping build/maintain momentum.

 

[Habs Halifax]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If I'm Evans, I go for the most money possible now.

That's likely what his agent is telling him as well but my gut tells me Evans wants to stay.

 

[morhilane]

Renaud Lavoie expressed optimism on BPM Sports this morning that he expected a resolution by March 7.

On the speculation side, Sportsnet's Eric Engels mentioned the possibility of a four-year contract, worth around $3.5 million annually.

$3.5m AAV would be really nice.
4 years might be one year longer than wanted, but Evans can play wing or get traded in his last year.

If that's really how it goes, he's 100% extended by March 7th.

 

[Sorinth]

I get not wanting to overpay, but this idea of replaceable bottom 6 is how you end up like Toronto. Why replace Evans with Beck if we can have both? The thought of 3 excellent defensive centres makes me drool.

Hell we see that type of thinking at the top of lineup as well, who needs Matheson when we have Hutson, who needs Caufield when Laine has an even better shot, quick trade Montembeault because Dobes and Fowler are the future, etc...

Some people seem to be just wired into thinking you should only have 1 of any type of player.

 

[sampollock]

3.8 for 5 years

 

[Habs Halifax]

Newhook was definitely a big mistake, is Hughes going to fix it or just ride it out ?

Not a big mistake. A move that has not provided results yet. Newhook is 23 and soon to be 24. His bridge takes him to age 25 (two more full seasons). That's what a bridge is... you want more time to evaluate how good the player is.

It's way to early to jump on his back at a $2.9M cap. And yes, I know what we gave to get. Some will say it could have been another Hutson but probabability says it was more Mesar picks.

What did we miss out on? Lets cherry pick the good ones (in hindsight) with the picks we traded in the 2023 draft right?

2023 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com

A sortable list of players drafted in the 2023 NHL Entry draft, including their career scoring after being drafted

www.hockeydb.com

 

[Sorinth]

I don't believe Engels has any insight so his 3.5 for 4 years is no different from any poster here, but if that truly is in the ballpark I would be very curious how much going to six years would drop the cap hit.

 

[sampollock]

I don't believe Engels has any insight so his 3.5 for 4 years is no different from any poster here, but if that truly is in the ballpark I would be very curious how much going to six years would drop the cap hit.

Engels is a clown yaks tons and has a massive head

 

[Nicko999]

I hope the fact we are now battling for a playoff doesn't mean Hughes will deviate from his plan.

We need to make sure Evans is signed before the trade deadline or trade him. Cannot lose him for nothing.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Agreed...I just don't see how they couldn't' find common ground.

I think Evans likes it here and he's valued and the Habs have the money to pay him.

Unless he's asking for 4.5-5M, which i'd be shocked, there's no reason they can't come to an agreement.

Agreed, as long as the term is not something like 5 years and of course, no overpayment with him. I like him this year, the years before : not really. Having depth at bottom 6 doesn't hurt, if Beck is ready soon and also few others from Laval.

 

[morhilane]

I hope the fact we are now battling for a playoff doesn't mean Hughes will deviate from his plan.

We need to make sure Evans is signed before the trade deadline or trade him. Cannot lose him for nothing.

Hughes didn't sound like someone who was going to deviate from his plan in his latest interviews, but he also said that the team wasn't in the asset accumulation phase anymore. If he's not getting what he wants for Evans, they aren't going to trade him just to trade him.