NHL Insider Proposes Fascinating Toronto Maple Leafs Jake Evans Trade
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to get another center at the NHL trade deadline and it appears as though Jake Evans of the Montreal Canadiens is on their radar.
Brad Treliving has to make a big move for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline and there are a lot of players on the team's radar.
One of those guys is Jake Evans, a center for the Montreal Canadiens who has been dangled in trade talks.
Are the Montreal Canadiens trading Jake Evans
He has 11 goals and 27 points in 56 games this season and he could definitely be an improvement for the Leafs' bottom six.
In fact, according to Frank Seravalli, Evans is a perfect fit for the Leafs and he wouldn't cost a whole lot in a trade either.
During his Valentine's Day matchmaker piece for The Daily Faceoff, Seravalli suggested the Leafs could get Evans for a second-round pick and a Marlies prospect.
«A Leafs-Habs trade always feels unusual, but it wasn't long ago that Montréal sent another third-line center-Tomas Plekanec-to Toronto at the 2018 deadline.
With no extension in sight, Evans is now more likely to be moved. The Leafs, looking to reshape their third line, need a defensively responsible center, and Evans has been excelling in that role under Marty St. Louis alongside Emil Heineman and Joel Armia. Before Heineman's unfortunate injury, that line was thriving.
Evans is also on pace for a career-high 16 goals, adding some offensive upside. He's played in the Stanley Cup Final, so the big stage won't faze him. Plus, as a Toronto native, there's a real chance he re-signs, making a late second-round pick a worthwhile investment.
For the Canadiens, if Evans isn't returning, maximizing value is key. They had a mid-second-round offer for him at last year's draft-this Florida pick isn't quite that, but adding a Finnish forward like Hirvonen, a 2020 second-rounder, might be enough to get it done.»
With no extension in sight, Evans is now more likely to be moved. The Leafs, looking to reshape their third line, need a defensively responsible center, and Evans has been excelling in that role under Marty St. Louis alongside Emil Heineman and Joel Armia. Before Heineman's unfortunate injury, that line was thriving.
Evans is also on pace for a career-high 16 goals, adding some offensive upside. He's played in the Stanley Cup Final, so the big stage won't faze him. Plus, as a Toronto native, there's a real chance he re-signs, making a late second-round pick a worthwhile investment.
For the Canadiens, if Evans isn't returning, maximizing value is key. They had a mid-second-round offer for him at last year's draft-this Florida pick isn't quite that, but adding a Finnish forward like Hirvonen, a 2020 second-rounder, might be enough to get it done.»
If you are Treliving, this is one of those deals you absolutely have to make to show your team you mean business.
The Maple Leafs have refrained from big trades over the past couple of years but they can't continue with that mentality.
At some point, they have to swing for the fences and Evans is definitely a good start in that.
Regardless, the trade deadline should prove to be a truly fascinating time.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 14 | 177 ANSWERS NHL Insider Proposes Fascinating Toronto Maple Leafs Jake Evans Trade Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade for Jake Evans? | ||
| YES | 59 | 33.3 % |
| NO | 118 | 66.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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