Since the start of the season, Jake Evans has established himself as a reliable and consistent player for the Montreal Canadiens.
Despite the team’s ups and downs, the forward seems comfortable on the ice and has earned the trust of his coach Martin St-Louis.
With 10 points in 19 games and goals scored in his last two games, Evans looks like he’s on an upward trajectory, and that’s attracting attention.
However, this rise in value could prove to be a trap for Kent Hughes, the general manager of the Canadiens.
Currently under contract at $1.7 million, Evans could find himself with a sizable salary increase, a decision one might regret in the long run.
His agent is now asking for a long-term contract around $4 to $4.5 million per year, a high amount for a player whose performance remains far from stellar, although he is solid and reliable.
Maxim Lapierre, former CH plumber, praised Evans’ qualities, in particular his ability to respond to an urgent need in the organization, that of replacing Phil Danault, whose departure left a void difficult to fill.
Evans, according to Lapierre, finally seems to fill this role, even if comparisons with Danault must be qualified.
However, is he really ready to assume such responsibility within the Canadiens, and does he really deserve such financial reward?
Danault’s example is revealing. Before the accident he suffered against Mark Scheifele during the 2021 playoffs, Evans seemed on the verge of becoming a player of the same caliber as the ex-Canadian, today with the Kings.
This setback in development could have cost him dearly. But just before becoming a free agent, he is having the season of his life and wants to “CASH IN”.
Watch out Kent. Even if the player shows signs of solidity, his progress should not mask the limits of his offensive game, which do not necessarily justify such a significant salary increase.
The real dilemma for Kent Hughes lies in the trap he risks falling into by overpaying Evans. By granting him a contract of 4 million, or even more, per season, he could regret it, especially since he has the chance to trade Evans for gold and Owen Beck will one day be able to play this role of plumber center two- way.
The worst part for Hughes is that Evans has increased in monetary value because Kirby Dach has collapsed.
Imagine. Hughes thought big for Dach. He is in the process of “shocking” his life. So Evans takes his place as 2nd center and will strip Hughes’ pockets with a contract too big for his true stature.
A double nightmare could replicate the mistake made with the acquisition of Kirby Dach, another player whose evaluation has yet to bear fruit.
Dach, much like Evans, seems more of a project than an established star. Hughes, by wanting to reward these players too much in a deficient roster, could find himself with contracts that are difficult to trade and an overheated salary cap, even if the latter should rise to 97 million.
Might as well keep as much money as possible to sign a Mikko Rantanen or another star.
The real problem with Evans is that his game has been undermined by poor fielding. The Montreal Canadiens are not a competitive team at the moment, and Evans, playing an essential role in a team that is struggling to perform, sees his value exaggerated.
It then becomes easy to succumb to the temptation to reward him financially for in-depth work that might not be as appreciated in a more competitive team.
Ultimately, what the Canadian risks regretting is having paid too much for a player who will never really be able to fill the void left by centers like Danault.
Instead of offering Evans a big contract, Kent Hughes should perhaps consider using the money to strengthen other, more crucial positions in the short term, especially since Beck has the perfect profile to become the plumber center when CH will be ready to win.
By giving Evans an excessive salary, he would be taking a risky gamble that could cost the team dearly, particularly because of the limits of his offensive production and the assumption that he remains at a stable level of play without really breaking out.
In a few years, history may well show that the Canadian paid too high a price for a player whose real value did not correspond to the size of the contract he received.
We would deal with it tomorrow morning.
Kent Hughes should instead take advantage of the current situation to overpay a team on the transaction market.
While the player has seen his value rise thanks to his consistency and key role on special teams, he represents a valuable piece on the market.
Teams looking to strengthen their center and defensive game, with the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche already expressing interest.
Rather than being tempted by a high contract that could weigh heavily in the long term, Hughes would be wise to sell Evans for his maximum value.
This would not only maximize returns in a transaction, but also free up space under the salary cap to strengthen more strategic positions, particularly on the blue line or on offense.
The demand for a player like Evans, who provides defensive stability and reliable center play, is still high around the league, but is likely to diminish as the season progresses and other options present themselves to teams. looking for reinforcements.
Additionally, Hughes could find himself in an advantageous situation if he sells Evans at a time when demand is high, particularly if the Canadiens can get draft picks or young talent in return.
These assets could become critical pieces for the team’s future, allowing Hughes to improve the Canadiens’ core for years to come.
It’s not the present moment that counts, but the long term. Kent Hughes made the mistake of not trading Mike Matheson when his value was at its peak.
He made the same mistake with Josh Anderson.
The rise in value of Jake Evans in a deficient context is an opportunity for Kent Hughes to make a strategic decision that would avoid overpaying a player whose production remains limited in a rebuilding lineup.
Instead of being guided by emotion or attachment to a coach’s favorite player, Hughes could use this moment to trade Evans and enjoy a bigger return than a lucrative contract could offer to the team.
But once again, we feel that he will make the same mistake. Watch the train go by without compromising your player while his value is at the top.
Misery.
