Salary demands for Jake Evans contract extension reportedly now set
A rather ordinary piece of news in Montreal was confirmed today, but it could have major implications for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens regarding a future contract extension negotiation.
The Vegas Golden Knights announced that they have agreed to terms with forward Brett Howden on a five-year contract worth a total of $12.5 million.
That means Howden, a depth forward, will earn $2.5 million per season.
Jake Evans now has arguments for his next deal with the Canadiens
Remember that Evans will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He is currently finishing a three-year deal at $1.7 million per year.
This contract could well inspire the negotiations surrounding the 28-year-old center, since comparisons with Howden are inevitable.
Howden, 26, has accumulated 9 points in 20 games this season, after collecting 19 points in 72 games last year, with a differential of -13.
For his part, Evans has registered 10 points in 19 games this year. Last season, he finished with 28 points in 82 games and a differential of -2.
As we can see, the two players have very similar statistics.
Comparisons are often used as an argument in contract negotiations. In theory, if the Canadiens want to extend Evans' contract, it could cost them around $2.5 million per season.
That's a reasonable amount, considering all that this 2014 seventh-round pick can bring to their team.
However, the term of the contract could be problematic, because several young players in the organization, including Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck, are prospects with the potential to replace his services in the medium term.
So this will be a file to watch between now and the trade deadline.
| POLL | ||
Would you offer Jake Evans a 3-year, $2.5 million contract? | ||
| Yes | 132 | 88 % |
| No | 18 | 12 % |
| List of polls | ||
