Insider Links Maple Leafs And Canadiens As Trade Partners For Underrated Center
NHL Hockey Insider Frank Seravalli proposed a deal that could benefit both Montreal and Toronto and would lead to the Leafs acquiring Jake Evans from their rivals.
With NHL Insider Darren Dreger believing the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to make a big splash in regards to a potential trade -- whether it be Brayden Schenn or Dylan Cozens, the gears are spinning for GM Brad Treliving.
But NHL Hockey Insider Frank Seravalli believes that the team is going to go a different route and go for a smaller name instead: Montreal's Jake Evans
To Montréal: 2025 FLA 2nd Round Pick, Roni Hirvonen
A Leafs-Habs trade always feels unusual, but it wasn't long ago that Montréal sent another third-line center-Tomas Plekanec-to Toronto at the 2018 deadline.
With no extension in sight, Evans is now more likely to be moved.
So with Seravalli thinking Toronto is going the cheaper route -- Is Evans worth it for the Maple Leafs?
Jake Evans A Cheap, Reliable Trade Option For Leafs: Frank Seravalli
It's been a rough go for Toronto's third line this year. Nick Robertson is as inconsistent as can be, Pontus Holmberg hasn't been the player the team needs, Max Domi is nearly invisible, and Bobby McMann has been great -- but deserves a bigger role.
Seravalli also thinks Toronto's third line needs a bit of a retooling:
Evans is also on pace for a career-high 16 goals, adding some offensive upside. He's played in the Stanley Cup Final, so the big stage won't faze him.
This season, Evans has 11 goals and 16 assists in 56 games while adding a plus-2, 79 hits, and winning face-offs at a 52.8% clip.
Seravalli also notes the sentiment of Evans playing for his hometown team, and that Montreal's main takeaway from a deal is recouping assets:
For the Canadiens, if Evans isn't returning, maximizing value is key.
They had a mid-second-round offer for him at last year's draft-this Florida pick isn't quite that, but adding a Finnish forward like Hirvonen, a 2025 second-rounder, might be enough to get it done.
He's also a cheap option at only $1.7M and if Toronto can get results out of him plus extend him on the cheap -- it's a huge bargain for Treliving.
Evans would add much needed stability to the lineup and here's what a potential Evans line would be:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Robertson - Evans - Marner
Pacioretty - Kampf - Lorentz
Toronto's third line gets the anchor down the middle it needs, gives Marner a chance to run his own line without Auston Matthews, and gives Nick Robertson an actual playmaker to give him scoring chances.
If Brad Treliving wants to give himself the best chance to succeed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and without breaking the bank -- he should look to acquire Jake Evans regardless of Toronto's bitter rivalry with Montreal.
