Does a Jake Evans trade make sense?

Jake Evans has been a polarizing player for the Montreal Canadiens, starting the year strong, and emerging as one of the club's most-used penalty killers.

Without playing any power play minutes, earning the majority of his ice time on the penalty kill, Evans sits fifth on the Canadiens for points scored. Evans has played 55 games with the Habs this season, and the pending unrestricted free agent has 11 goals and 16 assists for 29 points. Of his 11 goals, five of them were game-winners, and three were on the penalty kill.

Evans's previous career high in points was 29, which came during the 2021-22 season, and he achieved the total in 72 games. He is on pace to shatter that statline in a big way, with 27 games to play, and one point needed to tie it. So, he is playing his best hockey at the right time, and that leaves the Habs in a difficult spot.

The Canadiens have dropped six of their last seven meetings, and their sole win came against the San Jose Sharks, whose record (15-34-7) is good for 32nd overall in the National Hockey League. I think it's fair to say that this team isn't ready to compete for the Stanley Cup, let alone clinch a playoff berth. The time to sell is now, during the two-week break for the 4 Nations faceoff, to trade off players, as the is no trade freeze.

Montreal is falling off a cliff, and the time to load up for the draft is now; because this team still should focus on loading up for the future. Ivan Demidov and Michael Hage will arrive next season, and likely the one after that for the latter. Jacob Fowler is probably set to arrive in Montreal, with serious hopes of playing games in October 2026.

Loading up at the draft would be a wise decision, and possibly even packaging picks to move up into the top 10. Anyway you cut it, Montreal adding assets for Evans is the wisest decision. If Evans wants to come back at the end of the year, then great - and he gets some valuable playoff experience.

If not, the Canadiens can sign a free agent and hope that Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen can secure the third-line role. With Christian Dvorak gone this summer, and Evans weighing his options, the Canadiens just need to find a cheap, reliable fourth-line centre. Evans's loss will hurt now, but the team isn't going anywhere, and a strong draft after a dismal season, is a way to further establish that this team will have talent, and be built and coached the right way.

At this point, I would have to think that Evans is worth a first-round pick, and to sweeten the deal, since Kent Hughes is gentlemanly, a trade package could be discussed. I read somewhere the idea of packaging Evans with Joel Armia, and seeing what that might fetch the Habs. They form two-thirds of a great fourth line, with built-in chemistry and they can play on the penalty kill together as well.

I think that is a pretty enticing trade package, and for a team that wants to load up for a deep playoff run, it'd be silly not to inquire. Montreal isn't in win-now mode, and I love and respect all that Evans does for this team, but taking advantage of his value is a smart play. This team will improve next year, and if Evans wishes to return, I think that would be great.

Montreal could add another right-shot defender to the pool with Calgary's pick, and package their own with an additional pick to move into the top 10 of the draft if they aren't already there. I think the benefit of moving Evans, even if he doesn't come back, outweighs any potential negatives. A scrappy, skilled forward with top-six potential is exactly what the Canadiens need.

Sam Harris nets first NCAA hat trick

Sam Harris, of the University of Denver Pioneers has been on a tear to start his sophomore season in the NCAA. The dual citizen (Sweden/American), born in San Diego, California., was drafted in the fifth round (133 overall) of the 2023 draft by the Habs. Harris, 21, currently has 19 goals, and nine assists, totalling 28 points through 26 games and just under two periods of hockey.

According to Denver Hockey's X (Twitter) page, Harris' three-goal outing, marks his fifth multi-goal game of the season. Harris started the scoring in the opening frame, finishing off a passing play, started between Jack Devine and Zeev Buium. Harris was in the right place at the right time, and he just had to tap the pass from Buium into the net.

Harris's second goal of the game was a result of a smart screen and an opportunistic rebound. Harris tapped the puck between his feet and Arizona State goaltender Gibson Homer's five-hole. The tally was a great display of Harris's nose for the net and quick hands,

Harris has five multi-goal games this season, and his first goal of the game extended his point streak to seven games. His second goal of the game evened the game up at two. And Harris's hat-trick goal pulled the Pioneers ahead of the Sun Devils.

The 21-year-old has shown some impressive growth in his shooting game, specifically the power and quick release. But without ever being positionally aware, and disrupting the opposing defence, Harris wouldn't score as often as he has. That is not a slight to Harris, who is a quality shooter from range, but a compliment to his dogged effort to throw off the goalie and create havoc.