The Montreal Canadiens need a Top 6 forward, and the rest of the league watched as the Nashville Predators traded Luke Evangelista to the New Jersey Devils. While it cost the Devils a first-round pick and second round pick, both in 2028, and feels like fair value for a player of Evangelista's caliber.
He is a player who seemingly would be a great fit for the Montreal Canadiens and aligns with how Kent Hughes wants to build this roster. Evangelista is only 24 years old and has shown he can be very productive after a 56-point season with the Predators.
That is why it raises the question of why Kent Hughes, who has stated he has been aggressive this offseason, didn't make a push for the former Predators' forward.
Montreal Canadiens clearly know what they are looking for and don't want to settle
While there is a lot to like about Evangelista, and he would be a solid fit on the second line opposite Ivan Demidov or even on the top line if the Canadiens wanted to move Juraj Slafkovsky down, they probably would have the same problem they did in the playoffs.
That is, they didn't have enough size to compete with teams like the Carolina Hurricanes. It seems that is a point of emphasis: to get bigger, especially after drafting Gleb Pugachyov in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. However, Pugachyov isn't a solution for this season, and Evangelista wouldn't be either.
Evangelista is not an overly physical forward at 6'0" and 183 pounds, while only having 94 career hits in 253 games. It is not the strength of his game and doesn't help the Canadiens in this area.
Evangelista also really doesn't address the most important need the Canadiens have in their Top 6, and that is at center. As mentioned, they could move players around between the two lines, but it doesn't give them a clear-cut answer in the middle of the ice.
As much as fans would love to see the Montreal Canadiens make a move, they are making it clear that they are waiting for the right move. Evangelista would have been great on either of the top two lines, but with how the roster is constructed now, it doesn't really help this team get over that next hurdle and reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Whether or not that opportunity becomes available is another story, but for now, the Canadiens are holding out hope that it does.
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