Jake Evans Feels That A Trade Is Coming During 4 Nations

"It's been an honour."

Those were Jake Evans's words leaving the Montreal Canadiens' locker room after Sunday's final game before the NHL's 4 Nations Cup break. It's apparent, as highlighted by insider Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, that the highly sought-after forward feels his days are done in Montreal.

It’s been an honour. It’s such a fun place to play, it’s such a great place to live, and I’ve just really enjoyed it. It’s truly an honour. There’s so much tradition here, so many great players that have worn this great jersey with pride, and it’s truly an honour.

Speaking in past tense? There's no question that sounds like a player who knows he's about to be dealt. Friedman added that he has heard that there are a number of players around the league who "think they're going to get traded over this break."

We've already learned that Evans and the Habs are nowhere close on coming up with a number on an extension that would work for the pending UFA.

All of the recent buzz about Evans—his contract situation, his pending UFA status, his likelihood to be traded—has even had an effect on his play. As Friedman noted, after his career-best first half to the season, Evans has just four points in his last 20 games.

"I would bet that just the contract situation is taking a toll on him."

Friedman's colleague Eric Engels also writes on Sportsnet, with Montreal's recent slump and falling farther away from any playoff contention, "Now there will be change...

"Evans... holds a certain value to the Canadiens but an even bigger one to a Stanley Cup contender."

Even one of Evans's best friends on the team, Brendan Gallagher, sees the writing on the wall: “It’s been really fun to watch Jakey grow up in this organization,” said Gallagher.

Evans, 28, has 11 goals and 27 points in 56 games, both of those marks on pace to shatter his career highs.