Rumors are running rampant in the NHL: Jake Evans, reliable and popular forward for the Montreal Canadiens, could be traded to the New Jersey Devils.
For what? Because the Devils, looking for depth at center, would have set their sights on Evans.
What makes this rumor even more intriguing is what Montreal could get in return.
Among the names circulating, that of Simon Nemec, promising defender and second overall pick in 2022, comes up with insistence. And that’s where Juraj Slafkovsky comes into play.
Slafkovsky and Nemec are not just fellow Slovaks; they are also close friends, linked by their international career and their selection in the first two positions of the 2022 draft.
If Nemec were to arrive in Montreal, it is obvious that Slafkovsky would see it as a reason for celebration.
Having a friend and compatriot in the locker room could boost his morale and, potentially, his development.
But the stakes here go well beyond Slafkovsky’s comfort. The real question is whether Montreal should sacrifice Jake Evans to get Simon Nemec.
The rumors surrounding Evans are anything but trivial. The Devils see in him a player capable of stabilizing their bottom lines, bringing rigorous defensive play and offering a reassuring presence in key situations like the penalty kill.
With New Jersey looking for immediate results, Evans’ profile fits their needs.
But for the Canadiens, trading him would raise serious dilemmas, as losing a player like Evans in the middle of a season where the team is exceeding expectations would be risky.
This brings us to Nemec. Considered an elite defender, he is nevertheless blocked in the Devils hierarchy.
With Johnathan Kovacevic and Seamus Casey surpassing him in the organization chart, Nemec finds himself confined to the American League, where he still accumulates 16 points in 23 games this season.
His potential is undeniable, but so is his impatience.
He recently said: “I don’t remember a second overall pick who had to spend a third year in the minor leagues. »
That frustration could push the Devils to trade him, and that’s where Montreal comes into the picture.
For Slafkovsky, seeing Nemec land would be an emotional and strategic boost.
Their friendship could strengthen the morale of the young forward, who, at 20 years old, continues to find his bearings in the NHL.
The previous example of Filip Mesar, another Slovak drafted to support Slafkovsky, did not bear fruit, but Nemec is of a different caliber.
His arrival could fill a glaring need on the right side of the defense while giving Slafkovsky a valuable ally.
But is this scenario really in the Canadian’s interest?
Jake Evans is a difficult player to replace. Although he doesn’t shine on the scoresheet, his impact is undeniable.
On the penalty kill, in the faceoff circle, and in critical moments, Evans is the type of player who makes the difference between a close victory and a frustrating loss.
-And in a season where Montreal aspires to the playoffs, losing a player like him could prove costly.
Fans might ask: Why not sacrifice Evans for a talent like Nemec, who could become a pillar of the defense for a decade?
This is a valid argument, but it relies on a risky assumption. Nemec is still a developing player, and his integration into a defensive brigade that is already young and in transition could pose challenges.
Additionally, the Canadian already has several promising prospects on defense, including Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, Logan Mailloux, Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble and David Reinbacher.
Adding Nemec to this equation could create congestion that would slow the development of some of these talents.
The obvious counterargument is that Nemec represents a rare opportunity.
Elite right-handed defenders aren’t common, and Montreal might regret missing out on a player with such potential.
But that shouldn’t obscure the fact that trading Evans would weaken the team immediately, at a time when it finally appears to be turning the corner.
Martin St-Louis, who relies on collective effort and resilience, would have a hard time compensating for the loss of such an important player.
And what about the impact on Slafkovsky? Although he would no doubt welcome Nemec’s arrival, there are no signs of trouble between him and Evans.
Team spirit in Montreal is at its best, and the Canadiens shouldn’t risk disrupting that harmony for a bet, no matter how promising it may be.
Slafkovsky needs to understand that the NHL is a business, and sometimes what seems ideal on paper isn’t ideal on the ice.
Ultimately, Montreal needs to think about its priorities.
If the goal is to continue building on current success and aim for a playoff spot, Jake Evans is simply too valuable to trade.
Nemec is a temptation, but Evans is a necessity.
And if Slafkovsky has to wait before seeing a compatriot join his ranks, he will have to be content with the already strong team spirit around him.
Evans’ departure for Nemec would certainly make Slafkovsky smile, but for the Canadian, it would be too costly a sacrifice.
Montreal needs to think about the present, and Jake Evans is exactly the type of player they need to continue to exceed expectations.
Let’s keep both feet on the ground: the objective is to win, not to recreate a Slovak social club.
And for that, Evans must stay.
Amen
