Statement made by Jake Evans on his future with the Montreal Canadiens
Jake Evans has quietly emerged as one of the Montreal Canadiens' most dependable forwards this season.
As reported by Habs Fanatics,, Jake Evans consistently delivers whether at 5-on-5 or on the penalty kill, where he poses a legitimate threat to the other teams.
His reliability has made him a go-to player for head coach Martin St. Louis, who knows precisely what to expect when Evans is on the ice.
At 28 years old, Jake Evans is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and this is unless he agrees to a contract extension with the Habs.
This situation could tempt Kent Hughes to trade him before the deadline and the club must tread carefully to avoid another Artturi Lehkonen scenario where the departure of a defensively sound player creates a glaring hole in the lineup.
Leadership is another vital factor since he has 307 NHL games under his belt, Evans is part of the team's veteran core and it's a quality the Canadiens sorely lack.
In an interview with TVA Sports Renaud Lavoie, Jake Evans expressed his desire to remain in Montreal and he is stating his goal is to sign a contract extension and, encouragingly, the Canadiens appear equally interested in keeping him in the team.
According to Marco D'Amico, Jake Evans could sign a long-term deal in the range of $4 to $4.5 million per year, up significantly from his current $1.7 million salary and this potential raise reflects his value as a polyvalent forward who contributes in all situations.
With his leadership and adaptability, Jake Evans is crucial to the Canadiens' current and future success and retaining him should be a priority for the Habs.
