4 Teams Battling For Canadiens' Jake Evans

The NHL trade deadline is a pressure cooker, and Montreal Canadiens' Jake Evans is the ingredient everyone wants. 

According to insider Pierre LeBrun, a "no shortage of calls" has flooded the Canadiens' front office, with GM Kent Hughes holding firm on a hefty price tag, potentially a first-round pick.   

No shortage of calls coming in on Jake Evans based on what I'm hearing around the league. Montreal's post-break resurgence obviously makes things interesting. As mentioned before, Habs have told teams they are ok keeping Evans if asking price isn't met. Could go either way.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 2, 2025

LeBrun notes they're "ok keeping Evans" if demands aren't met, creating a high-stakes standoff. 

Evans, 28, is a versatile center who has a low $1.7 million cap hit. With 328 NHL games under his belt, he is a seasoned penalty killer who has also shown he can play anywhere in the lineup. 

This makes him a valuable asset for a contender, capable of filling a fourth-line role or stepping up when needed. Here are some teams showing peak interest in Evans:

New Jersey Devils

James Murphy of RG.org reports the New Jersey Devils are "kicking tires," with GM Tom Fitzgerald eyeing a "banger that can score" and a flexible center. 

However, with the Devils boasting the league's second-best penalty kill at 83.6%, Evans's PK prowess might be redundant. Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer, Eric Haula, and Jesper Bratt are already a formidable unit.

Minnesota Wild

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild, struggling with a 31st-ranked penalty kill, recently acquired Gustav Nyquist for a 2026 second-round pick, with Nashville retaining half of his $3,185,000 cap hit. 

But can Nyquist, at 35, single-handedly fix their woes? Their current second PK unit, featuring Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, boasts limited NHL experience.   

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers, with a 75% penalty-kill success rate, are another potential suitor. Evans could be an upgrade over Kasperi Kapanen on their second PK unit, a critical need for a team aiming for a deep playoff run. 

And, given the Oilers are considering changes involving Evander Kane, a trade for Evans could be a move to swap a higher-priced player for someone with a smaller salary cap impact.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have also been linked to Evans, though rumors suggest their primary focus is on Brayden Schenn. However, Evans could be a valuable backup plan for GM Brad Treliving, who is looking to add depth and grit to his roster. 

The Leafs are always in search of players who can contribute in multiple roles, and Evans's versatility makes him an attractive option.

Image - David Kirouac-Imagn