Hughes has the opportunity to acquire a center for free to replace Jake Evans now
As we reported last night and again this morning, Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans was injured against the New York Islanders and it seems to be quite serious.
Brock Nelson fell on Evans' knee and Evans left the arena (after the game) walking with a brace on his left knee, which is obviously a bad sign.
So, don't expect to see him in uniform today against the Rangers, and thus, the Canadiens are short of center players (the available backups are Mike Hoffman and Michael Pezzetta).
An immediate and temporary solution?
While many pundits agree that Evans is likely to miss games, let's note in passing that there is currently a free option sitting on waivers.
Center Zac Dalpe was submitted by the Florida Panthers yesterday. He earns the NHL minimum salary and his contract ends this summer.
In 11 games this season, he has collected four points and has 15 points in 19 games in the American Hockey League. So this former second round pick is having a great season.
So there would be two options:
1- Claim Dalpe and keep him temporarily, much like the CH did with Adam Brooks in the past.
2- Play Hoffman or Pezzetta, and break up the first line by moving Kirby Dach to center.
We agree that the second option is certainly the most likely, but you should also know that there is the first one.
Another positive point if the CH claims Dalpe: if, at the time of returning him to waivers, he is not claimed, he could give a solid hand to the Laval Rocket.
Which option do you prefer?
Credit: Rumorsandtransaction.com
| POLL | ||
Would you claim Dalpe, to keep the first trio intact? | ||
| Yes | 173 | 50.4 % |
| No, put Dach on the 2nd line as a Center | 170 | 49.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
