The situation surrounding Jake Evans is becoming increasingly tense in Montreal.
The 28-year-old forward, at the peak of his career, scored a stunning shorthanded goal in the Canadiens’ blowout win over the reigning Stanley Cup champions, but his anger toward Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton threw a spanner in the works. shadow on this performance.
The usually low-key Evans appears increasingly frustrated by the lack of negotiations with Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton regarding his next contract.
His now famous “still crickets”, launched during a previous exchange with journalists concerning the negotiations on his next contract, continues to make people talk, and this silence could well become a cry from the heart.
Evans is currently having the best season of his career. With 9 goals, including several shorthanded, and 13 assists in 35 games, he has become an essential cog on the special teams and a discreet but influential leader in the locker room.
Yet despite his exceptional performances, no serious discussions have been initiated for a contract extension.
According to information from Vincent Damphousse, the Montreal Canadiens organization is not willing to make a long-term commitment to Jake Evans.
According to the former captain, the Canadian would have offered a contract with a maximum duration of 3 to 4 years, with an annual salary of around $3 million, well below what Evans could hope for on the free agent market. .
This hesitation can be explained by the fact that Evans, although he is having an exceptional season, has not always maintained this level of production in the past.
His ability to score on nearly 30% of his shots this season, well above his career average of 8.5%, raises doubts about the sustainability of his current performance.
In a competitive market, where comparable players like Jean-Gabriel Pageau have landed 5-6 year contracts at an annual salary of $5M, Evans could be tempted to test his value elsewhere.
For Damphousse, it is clear that Evans wants to maximize this unique opportunity in his career:
“He wants to test the market. It happens once in a career. On the market, it can fetch 5, 6, maybe 7 years. »
According to his information, the Canadian would be ready to offer him a 3 to 4 year contract at around $3 million per season, but Evans would be aiming for a much longer and lucrative contract on the free agent market.
This situation is reminiscent of that of Jean-Gabriel Pageau when he was with the Ottawa Senators. Pageau, a player with a similar profile, also wanted to stay with his team, but he knew he could land a more lucrative contract elsewhere.
Eventually, he was traded to the New York Islanders, where he signed for 6 years and $30 million.
Evans could follow a similar trajectory, knowing he is in an enviable position to maximize the value of his next contract.
As Vincent Damphousse, the former captain of the Canadiens, pointed out, becoming a free agent is a unique opportunity in a player’s career:
Evans’ refusal to talk about his contract negotiations to the media after the win over the Stanley Cup champions is telling.
If he chose not to add fuel to the fire, his gesture reflects a growing frustration. In a locker room where his leadership is appreciated, this situation could quickly become a problem for the Canadian. As Damphousse mentioned:
“Let’s not underestimate the leadership that this player has in the locker room. »
This lack of communication with management creates uncertainty that could affect not only Evans, but also the general atmosphere of the team.
Canadians must act quickly to prevent this issue from degenerating further.
Evans’ situation poses a crucial dilemma for Kent Hughes. On the one hand, extending Evans at a reasonable price would provide stability on the lower lines and on special teams.
On the other, overpaying him could become a burden on a rebuilding team, especially with young talent like Owen Beck knocking on the door.
Pageau’s example is particularly relevant. When the Senators traded their center, they got an impressive return: first, second and third round picks.
A similar trade could be considered for Evans, especially since his value on the trade market is at its peak.
Teams like the Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Minnesota Wild could be interested in his services.
The Kings, in particular, see Evans as a key piece to complement their defensive duo with Phillip Danault, which would allow Anze Kopitar to play against weaker lineups at home thanks to the latest change.
The Montreal Canadiens are at a crossroads. While it’s clear that Evans has earned his spot on the team, his contract demand and the potential return of a trade could force Hughes to make a difficult decision.
As Damphousse pointed out:
“We’re excited for him, but it’s a problem for the Canadiens. »
With the trade deadline approaching, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Evans’ situation will need to be addressed quickly.
Whether he stays or leaves, the outcome of this case could well have a significant impact on the Canadian’s future.
One thing is certain: things are heating up in the Jake Evans case, and time is running out to find a solution that will benefit all parties.
In this context, Owen Beck becomes a key piece of the puzzle for Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton. The young center, who displays a style of play similar to that of Evans, seems ready to make the jump to the NHL.
Beck is currently dominating with the Laval Rocket, where he impresses with his consistency and versatility in all facets of the game.
His rapid development puts additional pressure on the management of the Canadian. If Beck is able to fill Evans’ current role at a fraction of the cost, it could convince Hughes to move on from his veteran to maximize his value on the trade market.
However, integrating a young player like Beck always comes with risks. Although he excelled in the American League, the transition to the NHL was never guaranteed.
The Canadian must therefore evaluate whether Beck can offer immediate stability or whether it would be better to keep Evans, at least in the short term, to mentor the younger generation.
What a dilemma! Extending Evans would mean banking on the continuity and leadership of a respected player in the locker room.
But it could also slow down the integration of a promising youngster like Beck, while risking overpaying a player whose production could decrease in the years to come.
On the other hand, trading Evans would allow the Canadiens to get a significant return, whether in the form of draft picks or young talent, while leaving the way clear for Beck.
But that would mean taking a gamble that Beck can quickly fill the void left by Evans’ departure.
With a free agent market that promises to be lucrative for Jake Evans and a succession ready to rise, the Montreal Canadiens must quickly decide. Vincent Damphousse’s words clearly reflect the extent of the dilemma:
“This is a problem for Canadians. You have Beck coming, but we don’t have a lot of depth in Laval in that position to be able to play at that level. »
Still, overpaying Jake Evans would be a big mistake. Talk to Lou Lamoriello. He will tell you how much he regrets having sacrificed 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks for Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
And above all having given him 30 million over 6 years. In our opinion, there is no point: we must compromise Jake Evans.
Even if it breaks your heart…