Montreal Canadiens Set Massive Asking Price for Maple Leafs Trade Target
If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to acquire Jake Evans from the Montreal Canadiens, they'll need to pay a big price as their long-time rivals aren't budging for less.
Time is ticking for the Maple Leafs to make a deal. Pressure is on, we've seen other teams make some massive deals in order to shore up their rosters and now its's time for Brad Treliving to do the same.
Though he's not looking to make blockbuster after blockbuster, he is taking everything into consideration. If he wanted to acquire a top 3C for his club he could no doubt look to rival Montreal Canadiens pivot Jake Evans.
The team has been linked to the Habs forward multiple times, and while he is certainly cheaper than some other options on the market, in Montreal's eyes he's a premium; and you're going to pay that if you want him.
What Is Jake Evans Going To Cost?
The previous cost associated with Evans was at minimum a second-round pick and while Toronto owns one (Florida's) that's not necessarily a valuable pick compared to other teams who have earlier selections.
Montreal GM Kent Hughes has been adamant that a second rounder is the foundation for a package involving Evans, and while he would make a lot of sense for the Maple Leafs; the cost might be a bit too high.
Evans, 28, has 12 goals and 16 assists in 60 games with the Canadiens, while adding 91 hits and winning 52.4% of his face-offs, something Toronto desperately needs assistance with.
He plays the penalty kill, a sore spot for Toronto all of a sudden. He's also able to shut down opponents at critical times, has great possession numbers in close games at 5v5, and has a clutch factor with five game-winning goals.
Toronto should see if Hughes will budge on a third rounder and perhaps a prospect like William Villeneuve; a Sherbrooke, QC native with some intriguing upside. But barring that, it feels like an overpayment for Evans when Toronto could get Scott Laughton for potentially the same price.
But in the business of winning in the NHL, you need to spend a bit in order to make things better and in Toronto's case; it might be worth the extra price even for a few months.
