The 2024 year was supposed to be different for the Montreal Canadiens. They believed their rebuild was starting to end, and they wondered whether 2024 would end with them looking ahead to a run at the playoffs in 2025. The year ended with a string of wins that elevated them to sixth place in the Atlantic Division, but they are still seven points behind in a playoff race. This series will examine how each player performed over the 2024 calendar year. Next up is bottom-six utility forward Jake Evans.
It has been a proud few months for Canadiens fans who watched Evans develop from a seventh-round draft pick to a full-time member of the Habs lineup. There have been some apparent bumps in the road for Evans, but his career started to blossom early in 2024 when he became a massive contributor to the Canadiens' penalty kill. The penalty kill was one spot where the Canadiens excelled, and Evans and Joel Armia were the catalysts.
Evans is no longer just a penalty killer, as he is starting to contribute just as much at the offensive end. His start to this season has put him on pace for 53 points, which would obliterate his previous career-high. He also averages nearly half a point per game in the calendar year, recording 40 points in 82 games. Evans is just a -2 over the 82 games, which is no big surprise as he has been alongside Armia for most of those appearances.
Jake Evans' 2024 Highlights
The last five games have been the culmination of plenty of hard work for Evans. Unfortunately, Evans could be priced out of the Canadiens' future if the run continues. Evans will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and an increased offensive performance should fetch him a good raise on his next contract. If Evans doesn't give the Canadiens a team-friendly deal, he will get the money elsewhere.
5 goals in 5 games for Jake Evans! ✅ pic.twitter.com/XVQ6zsrdjq
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 30, 2024
It sucks for fans of Evans, who may not get to see him in Montreal next season. However, there is no better time for an individual to have a career year than a contract year. Evans ended 2024 with goals in five straight games (which doesn't include a New Year's Eve date with the Vegas Golden Knights).