Kent Hughes Officially Locks Up Jake Evans with a Bargain Contract
The Montreal Canadiens and GM Kent Hughes announced today that center Jake Evans has signed a four-year extension with the team.
The average annual value of the contract will be a very stomachable $2.85 million, which is much less than many analysts expected.
Evans has been in the Canadiens organization for over a decade, being drafted in the seventh round in 2014; he is a Montreal Canadien to the core.
The Canadiens released the following statement after the extension was completed:
Evans has played 61 games with the Canadiens this season, recording 12 goals and 16 assists. The 28-year-old center ranks second among NHL forwards in shorthanded ice time, averaging 2:52 per game, and holds a share for third in the League with three goals while killing penalties. Evans registered his 100th career NHL point on November 16, 2024, and skated in his 300th NHL game on December 20, 2024, in Detroit.
Since making his debut in 2019-20, Evans has made 329 appearances and produced 120 points (39G, 81A). The Toronto, ON., native has also tallied six game-winning goals, five shorthanded goals and served 113 penalty minutes. In 13 career playoff contests with the Canadiens, Evans has produced three points (1-2--3).
Evans was selected by the Canadiens in the seventh round (207th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft.
Per insider Pierre LeBrun, Evans could have gotten more on the open market, but chose to stay in Montreal at a discount.
It'll be great to see what Evans can accomplish over the next four years. A beloved teammate, and a responsible player, he will be integral in a future playoff run.
He was obviously set to become a free agent on July 1, but now he'll be staying in Montreal for several more years.
This move is likely to send a strong message to the Canadiens' locker room and provide a big boost of motivation as the team pushes for a playoff spot.
The Canadiens have secured the services of an excellent bottom-six center and key penalty killer for years to come.
We're absolutely thrilled for the team, and for Jake Evans, who has fully earned this contract extension and salary increase.
