Jake Evans, the eternal silent warrior of the Montreal Canadiens, could well become the next player to leave the organization by the trade deadline.
At 28 years old and in the final year of his $1.7 million contract, the center is about to see his value tested on the market.
And rumor has it that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are pleasantly surprised by what they hear.
Drafted 207th overall in 2014, Jake Evans has never been a flashy player. He's not the one who attracts the spotlight, but his work behind the scenes has always been appreciated by coaches, teammates and even opponents.
With 300 NHL games under his belt, Evans has scored 33 goals and 77 assists for a total of 110 points.
These statistics, although humble, hide a player capable of taking important defensive responsibilities, being a mainstay on the penalty kill and winning crucial faceoffs.
The best thing about Jake Evans is his impeccable work ethic. This player never cheats. On the ice, he is always ready to block shots, sacrifice himself for the team and face the opposition's best elements in critical moments.
And this exemplary attitude, coupled with a very affordable contract, makes him an attractive target for aspiring teams looking to solidify their depth for the playoffs.
But the question remains: what is Jake Evans worth on the transaction market? To answer this, you have to look at recent comparables.
The example of Artturi Lehkonen often comes up in discussions. In 2022, the Canadian traded Lehkonen, also a support player, but with a more marked offensive touch, to the Colorado Avalanche for Justin Barron and a second-round pick.
At that time, many critics deemed the transaction insufficient, especially seeing Lehkonen's immediate impact on a Stanley Cup caliber team.
However, in hindsight, this transaction seems less lopsided. Barron, although he didn't hatch in Montreal, did land Alexandre Carrier in a recent trade, and the second-round pick became Michael Hage, a promising prospect.
This kind of exchange shows that a well-utilized role player can have significant value if the right partner is found.
In the case of Evans, his profile could attract teams looking for defensive stability and players capable of playing a role in the playoffs. We're talking about a reliable player, who doesn't make waves, but who can be a key for a team's special teams.
In a market where depth at center is still in demand, Jake Evans could be worth a second-round pick or more if competition between teams increases.
But competition, in fact, could pose a problem. In today's market, players like Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders could be available.
Nelson is an experienced center, capable of producing offensively and playing on the power play. His value is naturally higher than that of Evans.
That said, not every team necessarily has the resources or salary space to target a player like Nelson.
This is where a player like Evans, with his affordability and reliability, becomes a prime option.
What makes the situation intriguing is that the Montreal Canadiens are not in a position where they absolutely have to trade Evans. Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton can afford to wait for the right deal, especially if the market moves in their favor.
If a team proves desperate to add a depth center by the deadline, Evans' value could climb further.
In the current context, where the Canadian continues its reconstruction, each transaction must be carefully calculated.
Trading Evans won't be a spectacular move, but it could be one step closer to accumulating assets that will, in the long run, strengthen the team.
With players like Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher moving up the organizational chart, the Canadiens' long-term vision is starting to come to fruition.
Jeff Gorton's phone is likely to ring often in the coming weeks, and discussions around Jake Evans could well be more lively than expected.
For a player drafted in the 7th round and who was never seen as a star, this is great recognition. And for the Canadian, it's a golden opportunity to add another piece to the puzzle.
Jake Evans' value is well and truly revealed, and Kent Hughes has every reason to be satisfied. Whether that value translates into draft picks or young players capable of contributing to the team's long-term vision remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Jake Evans, even in the shadows, continues to play a crucial role in the future of this organization.
To be continued…
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