If we trade Evans (even for a late 1st and B prospect), that means he is asking for too much on his contract. Think about it.. a late 1st (magic bean) and a prospect that probably does not become as good as Evans. I get that Evans is not a top 6 talent but man, he leaves a big hole if he is gone and trying to replace that when so many other teams are trying the same is just not that easy.
I'm personally 50/50 if we trade him or not. I just feel like Gorton/Hughes are delaying any extension because they want to explore their TDL options first.
Everybody wanted to throw Evans out with the bath water at the start of this season, if we are to be honest. Nobody came remotely close to talking about contract extensions, or suggesting these ridiculous salary amounts to keep him.
Evans has always been a serviceable soldier that helps more than he hurts this team.
He's simply not a core element to fawn over or lament losing, especially if we get an extra first round pick and a 'B' prospect as you suggest.
Personally, I think that we only get a late first rounder and I'm fine with that, unless we end up packaging Beck, a pick and whatever for a genuine long term solution at 2C.
If we don't lose Beck as part of some deal, I believe that Evans is entirely expendable.
The third first round pick, along with our two second round picks and three third round picks becomes valuable trade capital at the 2025 draft. Montreal can likely combine picks to help move up at the draft and increase the odds of drafting an impact player for what may well be the last valuable draft for them.
If not Montreal can always draft a whole lot of early selections and hope to hit a home run along the way.
Or, we could always trade our draft capital to trade for an established 2C, or an established top-4 RHD that can still have an impact with the team for the long term.
