If the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to trade for Montreal's Jake Evans, the price may be a bit more than anticipated, according to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun.
With the Maple Leafs linked to several names this trade deadline, there's always a concern about the right fit. The team has a ton of needs to address but their most pressing one is that of a third line center.
One name that's been tossed around who would fill that role perfectly is Montreal's Jake Evans. A cheap and reliable scoring option, he would give Toronto a solid top-nine without risking their minimal assets.
But according to Pierre LeBrun, if they want to acquire Evans, they will need to pay a bit more than expected, as he said on "Insider Trading":
“I don’t think they’re interested in getting a third-round pick or a fourth-round pick for Jake Evans. That doesn’t move the needle for them. They might as well just keep him right and try and stay in a playoff race. They’re on the outside of right now. The odds are very long that they can make it back. But so teams have been told, don’t waste your time.”
With Montreal's price firmly set for Evans, can the Maple Leafs get it done?
Leafs need to part with their second-rounder regardless
Whether it's Evans or someone else, it's more than likely that the Leafs' second-rounder as well as their 2026 first-rounder will be in play. If Florida's second-round pick is the asking price, then why not?
The Maple Leafs wouldn't touch their prospects, they add a cheap center (whose salary can be figured out pretty easily) and they are giving up a pick in the 55-60 range.
So if that's all it takes, then get it done.
Evans, 28, has been a solid 2C/3C for the Canadiens this season. In 57 games, he has 11 goals and 16 assists while winning 52.5% of his face-offs in 15:33 TOI.
It's not just scoring either. Although he is a bit smaller than some other players Toronto could go after, he does throw his weight around and has 83 hits — only six off a new career-high.
If the Leafs are going to dump Max Domi's contract in a potential deal, or say goodbye to Nick Robertson, then Evans fits perfectly on their third line with Bobby McMann and a returning Calle Jarnkrok.
Knies - Matthews - Marner
Holmberg - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Evans - Jarnkrok
Lorentz - Kampf - Steeves
Evans and Jarnkrok are both able to play well defensively, and McMann still gets a playmaker in Evans to help keep his scoring touch alive.
Plus, it offers Toronto a solid penalty-killing forward — along with David Kampf and Jarnkrok — and Evans a chance to win with his hometown team.
It's not the flashiest trade that Brad Treliving can make, but it's certainly one of the more cost-effective deals on the market.
Although there is more than 100 years of heated history between the two teams, they should cast tensions aside and come together to better each other just one more time.
