Renaud Lavoie just dropped a bomb about Jake Evans and it's not about if, but more about when
The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly close to signing forward Jake Evans to a contract extension, according to Renaud Lavoie.
As reported by Habs Fanatics, this development ends any speculation of Jake Evans being traded and is ensuring his place in the organization's plans.
Renaud Lavoie suggests the deal will be long-term, though it won't approach Phillip Danault's $5.5 million contract since Evans has drawn comparisons to Danault due to his defensive reliability and two-way play, his offensive production remains modest.
It won't be like Phillip Danault's $5.5 million per year contract..
That said, overpaying Evans by $1.5 million wouldn't be dramatic in the eyes of the insider.
The salary cap will continue to rise, he reminded. There are still people saying that in two years, it will reach $100 million. Over three years, if you give $1.5 million extra to Evans, no one will complain."
- Renaud Lavoie, TVA Sports
Jake Evans has tallied 10 goals and 23 points in 39 games this season which is solidifying his role as a dependable depth center for the Canadiens.
A contract around $4 million annually or less would align with Evans' current contributions and Renaud Lavoie noted that with the NHL salary cap expected to rise and potentially reaching $100 million within three years, a slight overpayments may not be too much.
For Montreal, retaining Jake Evans provides some stability in their forward group as the team continues its rebuild and his defensive polyvalence and ability to score goal in defensive play is perfect for the salary.
This extension would also ensure Evans remains a key piece of the Canadiens' middle six as they progress under Kent Hughes.
With the team focusing on developing a competitive roster, locking up Evans at a reasonable cap hit could prove valuable.
Would you consider $4 million AAV or slightly higher a fair price for Jake Evans, or should the Canadiens aim for more conservative terms?
| POLL | ||
Would you keep or trade Jake Evans if you were Kent Hughes? | ||
| Sign | 225 | 93 % |
| Trade | 17 | 7 % |
| List of polls | ||
