Value of: Jake Evans

[Captain Mountain]

He may get a late 1st but I hope Fitz doesn't spend that kind of draft capital on him. We have 3- 2nds (as long as Allen does not get 40 games) and some other prospects. Our 1st this year goes to CGY. Devs probably need a top 6 depth guy and a bottom forward at a minimum to make any real noise.

Montreal has 4 2nds over next two draftsand have extra picks in the first 4 rounds this year. I think Evans ends up re-signing in Montreal in the end, but I don't think one or even more of NJ's likely very late 2nds is what Montreal would look for in a trade.

 

[Smitty426]

I do wish you luck in your search. Sometimes, it's best to chase the unattractive piece but still gets the job done. Evans is too much of a target by several teams IMO.

I'd be looking at guys with some term left instead. Getting a body that fills that spot for 2 years makes more sense if you were forced to give up the late 1st.

It will be interesting to see how the Habs manage Evans and Savard while we chase the playoffs.

Yeah most likely thats the case. The volume shooting% is attractive (and what we need). Donato is on my list. The term thing is tough unless cap goes all the way up to $97M, we have enough for Luke Hughes maybe Kovacevich (btw thx for him, be a godsend) and a small add. We usually grab players with term but I think its rentals.

 

[Gaud]

It's not fleecing. I agree with that. It's a typical TDL and supply/demand sets the price. Nobody likes to trade 1st rounders (even late ones) but what happens is when a guy like Evans is sought after by 3-5 teams, it drives the price up.

Any other team in our shoes would take the same approach. It's just business. There is a clear trend of contenders looking for a 3C and Evans has a very good cap hit to fit in as well as other adds a contender can make that fit their cap. Contenders are not just looking to make one move so when a guy like Evans can be added at a low cap hit, it allows them to chase other adds.

I think Evans and Lekhonen are comparable in the role they play , the difference being of course that Evans plays centre. That being said, if Mtl is in the battle for a playoff spot at the TDL, then trading Evans makes no sense - as you put it, teams want solid C for defensive missions in the playoffs and Montreal wouldn't be an exception.

 

[Gaud]

Montreal has 4 2nds over next two draftsand have extra picks in the first 4 rounds this year. I think Evans ends up re-signing in Montreal in the end, but I don't think one or even more of NJ's likely very late 2nds is what Montreal would look for in a trade.

I think he would absolutely fetch a first at the TDL. Wouldn't make much sense trading him if the habs are still in the playoff picture then though - we would need him for the playoffs. I like your point about the 2nds in the next 2 drafts - it is super exciting to me that the habs are (or will be soon) at the point where they have too many assets and too few chairs to put them in. Consolidating these assets to get better ones is going to be great!

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Evans and Lekhonen are comparable in the role they play , the difference being of course that Evans plays centre. That being said, if Mtl is in the battle for a playoff spot at the TDL, then trading Evans makes no sense - as you put it, teams want solid C for defensive missions in the playoffs and Montreal wouldn't be an exception.

What would make me ponder is this... We are offered a solid 1st rounder (Lets say 20-25 range) and Evans still wants to wait till UFA to explore his options. Do you still keep him and bypass that 1st when he might walk and we get nothing?

 

[JadedRandom]

What would make me ponder is this... We are offered a solid 1st rounder (Lets say 20-25 range) and Evans still wants to wait till UFA to explore his options. Do you still keep him and bypass that 1st when he might walk and we get nothing?

If we're near a playoff spot at the deadline, I would say that we shouldn't trade Evans even if he hasn't signed.

At this point in time in our rebuild, experience playing tough, meaningful games for our young guys trumps any kind of late first-round pick we might get in exchange for Evans.

Unless a team goes HARD after Evans and offers an overpayment on him the Canadiens should stay pat on that front and try to re-sign him.

 

[Mayday1980]

I think Evans and Lekhonen are comparable in the role they play , the difference being of course that Evans plays centre. That being said, if Mtl is in the battle for a playoff spot at the TDL, then trading Evans makes no sense - as you put it, teams want solid C for defensive missions in the playoffs and Montreal wouldn't be an exception.

The biggest difference is Evans is a C and is scoring whereas Lekhonen is not a C and from what I recall was hitting alot of posts in his trade year.

IMO Lekhonen is the better hockey player there's no question there but Evans is for scoring this year, is in the top tier of PKer's and is a centre with a respectable faceoff percentage.

His value inflates past Lekhonen due to supply/demand at the C position being limited this year (a lot of GM's are throwing anchors at the C position lol)

 

[Galaxydoggystyle]

Habs should resign him if they can so they don't have to worry about the 3C slot and focus solely on getting a legit 2C cause I don't think Dach gets it done.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Usually a bottom 6 or bottom pairing skater makes for a fairly useless TDL acquisition but Evans I feel different about. He can PK and he can be a we blanket over an opponent's 2nd line.

Of all the Habs rentals that they've auctioned off over these last couple years him and Lehkonen to me are the most worthy of a top 60 draft pick.

 

[jaric1862]

He's worth a 2nd + Prospect. If the Habs use their retention slot you can add in a 4th/5th round pick.

 

[absolute garbage]

I think it would be a mistake for Montreal to re-sign him. Yeah he's been playing good and is having a career year, but ultimately he's a bottom 6 guy about to turn 29. It's questionable to give players like this big money and term in the first place, but for Montreal it seems even less smart given that Kapanen is likely going to play in the NHL next year, Beck maybe as well.

If you can get him at 3x3 then okay, but if he wants 4x4 it's better to trade him. You should be able to get at least a 2nd rounder for him. But it's not just about the return, it's also about not handcuffing yourself with an expensive bottom 6 veteran when you have a promising pipeline of youngsters about to graduate.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

I think it would be a mistake for Montreal to re-sign him. Yeah he's been playing good and is having a career year, but ultimately he's a bottom 6 guy about to turn 29. It's questionable to give players like this big money and term in the first place, but for Montreal it seems even less smart given that Kapanen is likely going to play in the NHL next year, Beck maybe as well.

If you can get him at 3x3 then okay, but if he wants 4x4 it's better to trade him. You should be able to get at least a 2nd rounder for him. But it's not just about the return, it's also about not handcuffing yourself with an expensive bottom 6 veteran when you have a promising pipeline of youngsters about to graduate.

...all good points, however Hughes also realizes that you can't sell off all the vets and just run with a completely young team; that'll get you into Buffalo territory...if Evans wants more than $3/3.5 x 4, you trade him now and wish him well...I imagine that's Hughes plan...

 

[Anardil]

I can see none of the UFAs being dealt at the deadline if the Habs are still 'in the mix' for a playoff spot. And if that happens, they will likely all enter the UFA market.

Many in the fanbase will scream 'awful asset management', but I feel that the experience gained by playing meaningful games will have more value that obtaining more mid round picks.

The off season will be interesting, because Evans, Savard, Dvorak, and Armia will need to be replaced by other experienced NHLers. I don't think that those positions should be all filled by prospects.

This team still needs capable vets to insulate the younger players. The Carrier for Barron trade is a perfect example of what is needed.

 

[Treb]

I think it would be a mistake for Montreal to re-sign him. Yeah he's been playing good and is having a career year, but ultimately he's a bottom 6 guy about to turn 29. It's questionable to give players like this big money and term in the first place, but for Montreal it seems even less smart given that Kapanen is likely going to play in the NHL next year, Beck maybe as well.

If you can get him at 3x3 then okay, but if he wants 4x4 it's better to trade him. You should be able to get at least a 2nd rounder for him. But it's not just about the return, it's also about not handcuffing yourself with an expensive bottom 6 veteran when you have a promising pipeline of youngsters about to graduate.

With the Habs current salary structure, they can afford to pay a bit more for their 3C. That way, you're sure to not get caught with your pants if Beck and Kapanen need more time (or can't get to that level). As long as the deal isn't egregious, he should be tradeable if the time comes for Beck/Kapanen to take his spot.

The Habs are at the point where a 2nd rounder doesn't do much for them, because their prospect pool already has good prospects. What they need is elite prospects and vets to help them.

Evans has grown in the Montreal org, knows and loves the city, is liked by the core and knows and plays well in MSL's system. He's great defensively, on faceoffs and on the PK and can do spot duty on the 2nd line when injuries occur. No reason to risk getting another vet that may not fit as well to save 1 million.

 

[Treb]

I can see none of the UFAs being dealt at the deadline if the Habs are still 'in the mix' for a playoff spot. And if that happens, they will likely all enter the UFA market.

Many in the fanbase will scream 'awful asset management', but I feel that the experience gained by playing meaningful games will have more value that obtaining more mid round picks.

The off season will be interesting, because Evans, Savard, Dvorak, and Armia will need to be replaced by other experienced NHLers. I don't think that those positions should be all filled by prospects.

This team still needs capable vets to insulate the younger players. The Carrier for Barron trade is a perfect example of what is needed.

I'd say Savard and Armia still have a decent chance to be dealt so they can try a kid (Struble full time 6D with some vet pickup taking the pressbox or Engstrom/Mailloux for Savard, Roy for Armia).

Dvorak depends on if Beck takes another step or a 4C fall in their lap on waiver or as a 1 year cap dump.

Don't see many people interested in Pezzetta sadly, maybe in a trade where the Habs take on Salary.

For Evans, unless negotiations sour, I think they keep apart from an offer they can't refuse.

Hockey trades wouldn't surprise me at all either.

 

[rve24]

Evans is as good as gone unfortunately.

If this management didn't want to give Lehkonen 4 million + doubt they want to give Evans that money... unless they learned from their mistake.

Evans is having a hell of a season so far, but no way that shooting % will hold.

C vs W may have something do
with it obviously.
As well as where the Habs are in the rebuild. Leks moved ay the start of a rebuild where the team was going nowhere to acquire assets n get $ off books.
Evans is a C and the team is looking at POs n success in them over the next 3/4 years. Not comparable situations.