The Montreal Canadiens are exploring the possibility of trading Jake Evans ahead of the March 7 deadline and a fellow Habs forward could join him on his way out of Montreal so the franchise can secure a larger return.
According to reports from The Athletic’s Arpon Basu and TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Canadiens could try to package Evans with Joel Armia and trade them together to land a future first-round pick. Basu noted that while Evans is expected to be traded, his value alone may not be significant enough for the Canadiens, given the draft capital they already possess.
“Evans on his own would bring a modest return. Armia on his own would bring a modest return,” Basu wrote. “But the two of them together on the open trade market could bring back something significant. “The Canadiens are exploring (this idea) on the trade market, a league source said.
The goal for the Canadiens here is to add a third first-round pick in the upcoming draft.” Evans, 28, carries a $1.7 million cap hit on an expiring contract and has scored 27 points in 58 games. Meanwhile, Armia, 31, has 24 points in the same span and carries a $3.4 million cap hit in the final year of his deal.
Despite Armia’s preference to remain in Montreal, the Canadiens may move him to maximize their trade assets. “‘Yes, my agent is talking to the club (about an extension), but I prefer not to think about that,” Armia said on Friday, per 985 Sports’ Jeremy Filosa. “I just want to concentrate on trying to help the club win games.” LeBrun confirmed the Canadiens have set a second-round pick as the asking price for Evans, adding that they won’t settle for less.
He also acknowledged the possibility of Montreal packaging both players to “augment their trade return.” “I don’t think they’re interested in getting a third-round pick or a fourth-round pick for Jake Evans,” LeBrun said. “That doesn’t move the needle for them.
I think the low bar, the threshold, is a second-round pick for Montreal on a Jake Evans deal.” The Canadiens are sixth in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, five points outside of the postseason picture with a 27-26-5 record good for 59 points.
