The Montreal Canadiens are turning a corner and starting to move forward with centres under 30 years old.
Jake Evans, who is 28, is one of the veteran forwards and a guy who battled hard for every minute of ice time he earned. The seventh-round pick was a project pick, but he forced the Habs' hand after four successful seasons in the NCAA with the University of Notre Dame. Evans was brilliant in college and the Laval Rocket took notice, he repaid them with a near identical professional season point output (45 points in 67 games) as his senior year in the NCAA (46 points in 40 games)
Evans's senior year in college was one to write home about and build confidence ahead of his professional hockey debut season. He went out as an NCAA champion, a first-team All-Star, a Regular season champion and a Lowes Senior Class All-Americans 1st team winner. Then he was invited to the Spengler Cup for Team Canada, where he helped them to a championship.
With all the college success and a career carved from strong two-way hockey, you would have to think that the Canadiens will rely alot on him to help mentor the bottom six players. He won't play in a top six role, but the game is played with all four lines rolling. With that being said, he will be as important to the teams success as the guys in the top six, scoring goals.
Jake Evans stays, Christian Dvorak out?
I would say that Evans deserves to stick around Montreal, his contract is one reason why and the fact that he plays the game the right way is another. Again, it's nothing against Dvorak, who isn't much older and appears to be a guy who could get moved, with guys like Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen pushing for their spot. I think the team is close to the point where they would part ways with one of Evans or Dvorak, to get a little younger and free some salary.
It's not that Dvorak isn't a good player because he is, but a guy like Evans who was drafted by the club and worked hard to get where he is, definitely encourages other late round picks. But the fact that he has never stopped working and continues to be a player who can be relied on, it shows young forwards what it takes to be successful. It takes a special talent to play in the NHL, but even more so when they are drafted in the final round of the draft.
Evans has battled hard, and sets a great example for the future and how the Habs want to play going forward. If you aren't scoring, you are still getting the job done away from the puck, and being helpful in all situations.