On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Stop the press, shut down the debates, and put an end to the endless speculation—Jake Evans has signed a contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens. Four years at $2.85 million per season. We can all rest easy now.
It’s rare for a fourth-line center to generate this much ink or stir such strong opinions among fans and media alike. But here we are. Thankfully, the deal is done.
Did Evans Leave Money on the Table?
At first glance, it feels like Evans left $3-4 million on the table. On the other side, the Canadiens likely conceded an extra year beyond what they originally intended.
Throughout the season, comparisons have been made between Evans and other players in similar roles. Some projections were modest; others were a bit ambitious. To be fair, most of those estimates were based on the best offensive stretch of his career, under the assumption that he would continue at a similar pace.
Why Such a Modest Deal?
That’s the million-dollar question—figuratively speaking. We recently broke down Evans’ stats from the start of the season, particularly examining the impact of Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson, and later Emil Heineman on his performance. That analysis provides valuable context for this contract.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Before tonight’s game in Edmonton, Evans had 12 goals and 16 assists in 61 games. However, his offensive production has taken a significant dip in 2025:
| Period | Games Played | Goals | Assists | Points | Points Per Game | Plus/Minus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Until Dec. 30 | 36 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 0.64 | +5 |
| Since then | 25 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0.20 | -4 |
Defensively, Evans has remained steady, but with just one point in his last eight games—an empty-netter in Buffalo—his scoring has dried up.
A Mutually Beneficial Compromise
Reports suggested Evans’ camp was seeking a five-year, $20 million deal. Based on his early-season performance, that wasn’t an unreasonable ask. But given his last 25 games, it was unrealistic.
According to NHL insiders like Pierre LeBrun, the Canadiens weren’t willing to overpay, and negotiations were initially far apart. Kent Hughes was reportedly more comfortable with a three-year term.
Clearly, Evans wanted to stay in Montreal, but to do so, he had to significantly lower his demands. In any good negotiation, both sides need to feel like they’ve won something. The compromise? A four-year term that met both parties in the middle.
Evans could have tested free agency and likely secured a more lucrative deal. But for some players, money isn’t everything. The Toronto native and former seventh-round pick prioritized staying with this group and being part of its rise. That decision alone has earned him even more respect.
Now the real questions: what does Kent Hughes do with his remaining pending UFAs? And does he had to his roster prior to Friday’s trade deadline?
More must-reads:
- Kraken announce lucrative new deal for veteran winger
- Historic loss to Rockies a big moment in Cardinals' trade deadline decisions
- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
NHL Insiders Link Oilers in Possible Blockbuster Trade for Two Penguins 30-Goal Scorers
NHL insider David Pagnotta revealed the Oilers are searching for a top-six scorer, which led NHL analyst Levi Pike to suggest Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. NHL insider David Pagnotta recently sat down with the 'Hello Hockey' podcast and explained that the Edmonton Oilers are specifically looking for a top-six forward. It's a reasonable goal, but one many competitors have as well. With little cap space and a lot of competition, the marketplace is going to favor those teams that are willing to spend or trade high-end prospects. NHL analyst Levi Pike named the Pittsburgh Penguins as one potential trade partner. Forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust are intriguing options, both capable of scoring 30 goals with team-friendly cap hits of roughly $5 million over the next three years. 'The rumour man, David Pagnotta, dropped in to have a chat on the Podcast of Hello Hockey. He suggested the Oilers are searching for a top-six scorer. Let's explore a potential target. The reason that the Pittsburgh Penguins have been targeted is that they possess two desirable forwards. Both Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell could put up 30 goals, and they do so economically. Both have very similar contracts remaining, around $5 million per year, for the next three years.' - Levi Pike That cost-effectiveness gives the Penguins' GM, Kyle Dubas, the leverage to demand a large return. And with Sidney Crosby not leaving, the Penguins are not in any particular rush to trade either player. For the Oilers, staying with the NHL's elite can be done through an injection into the forward group. Though Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have delivered, behind them, there is a precipitous drop-off in scoring depth. The Oilers need more than just Andrew Mangiapane in the event of injuries Andrew Mangiapane's joining does help, though much more is needed, especially with injuries always being the playoff kiss of death. Cap room is Edmonton's biggest challenge, where they have only $225,000 of space. Any actual improvement will likely have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out deal. Perhaps a player like Nicholas Robertson, who is headed for arbitration in Toronto, can be had. But barring something unexpected occurring, the Oilers may have to wait and hope for a miracle.
LA Lakers will be ‘big winners’ this offseason if Rob Pelinka can agree one more deal, it’s ‘an important moment’
The Los Angeles Lakers are under immense pressure to at least contend for the NBA championship in the 2025-26 season. JJ Redick is now a second-year head coach, Luka Doncic has adjusted to his new surroundings, and LeBron James is one year closer to retirement. The Lakers’ front office has strengthened the roster since last season, despite the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith, with the signings of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart in free agency. However, ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst thinks general manager Rob Pelinka desperately needs to complete one more deal this offseason. Brian Windhorst highlights the importance of Luka Doncic signing an extension Doncic seemed happy with the Dallas Mavericks and had no interest in switching teams, but that decision was taken out of his hands when GM Nico Harrison traded him to the LA Lakers. Even though he was proud to be a Laker and excited to team up with LeBron James, there was no guarantee that he would be willing to sign a contract extension. Well, it now appears likely that Doncic will re-sign with LA, which Windhorst thinks would make them “one of the biggest winners” this offseason. “I cannot overstate how much of a disadvantage it was for the Lakers to lose the ability to give Luka the supermax,” Windhorst said. “He is completely disincentivized to extend his contract this year. “The only reason he would want to is because he believes in the Lakers, a team he did not ask to be traded to. It would be another thing if he said, ‘Trade me to LA.’ “So, from the moment that the shock wore off that Luka was a Laker, I have been focused on whether he was going to sign, and the signs point to the signing. I am not going to dismiss that as an important moment. “I never thought it was a guarantee, even though the Lakers really tried to make it seem it was no big deal. I think it’s a big deal, and if it happens, I think the Lakers are one of the big winners of the entire NBA this summer.” Luka Doncic is under pressure to win the NBA title this season LeBron James and the LA Lakers organization already know what it feels like, but the immense pressure that Luka Doncic is about to be under will be a new experience for him. With no disrespect to the Dallas Mavericks, winning a championship is an aspiration rather than an expectation. Now, in Los Angeles, Doncic will be expected to follow in the footsteps of James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Magic Johnson in adding another banner to the collection. Age of recent Finals MVP winners Plus, Doncic’s standing within the league will take a hit if he does not win a title soon. Besides Stephen Curry, who already had three rings, the most recent Finals MVP recipients were all 28 or under. Doncic turns 27 in February, so it’s about time he delivered in the postseason like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and others have lately.
Notes from Cowboys' second training camp practice: Schottenheimer threatens to kick out players, Pickens injury scare
Dallas Cowboys' training camp practice No. 2 is in the books so let's cut to the chase on this one and get right into the biggest moments. From head coach Brian Schottenheimer cutting a fight short and threatening to kick out players to a tough injury scare, there's a lot to get to. A lot of Kenneth Murray with the starting lineup In many of the clips coming from Oxnard, California, free agent signing Kenneth Murray keeps popping up with the first-team defense. He certainly looks like a potential starter at linebacker, where Jack Sanborn and Marist Liufau are also competing for starting roles. Though Sanborn has been talked about as the middle linebacker, Brian Schottenheimer said Murray has also worn the green dot denoting a player with comms with the coaching staff. "What I’m finding, now that I’m getting to know (Murray. . .) is the leadership he possesses," Schottenheimer said Wednesday. "He’s a grown-ass man out there. He takes charge. He makes a lot of the checks, he’s very smart, and he’s wearing the green dot for us in a lot of the things we’re doing." Brian Schottenheimer threatens to kick out players from practice Safety Markquese Bell, cornerback Troy Pride, and tight end Tyler Neville got into a scrap early during team periods, and the Cowboys head coach took the opportunity to send a message to his players. According to ESPN's Todd Archer, "Brian Schottenheimer called the team together and read them the riot act, threatening to kick player out of practice with the next fight." In the clip below from Nick Harris (Forth Worth Star-Telegram), Schottenheimer is heard saying: "I don't know what happened, I don't give a (expletive)." George Pickens' injury scare George Pickens went down as he attempted to catch a target during practice. Reports from Oxnard indicated it was a cramp. Fortunately, Pickens appeared fine after practice as he finished the day on the catching machines and jogged off the field. Joe Milton's 'touch pass' to Brevyn Spann-Ford Everyone knows about Joe Milton's bazooka arm but what to stay around the NFL for a long while, he'll have to show better accuracy and touch than what he showed with the Tennessee Vols. Though he needs to do it many more times, one play turned heads at camp: A play-action shot to TE Brevyn Spann-Ford that flew over linebacker Buddy Johnson. Later in practice, Milton fired a deep shot that missed WR Jonathan Mingo. The arm talent is there—and it's one of the best in the league—he just needs the touch to come consistently.
Deion Sanders says he's not 'all the way recovered' amid health issue
It seems like it might be a little longer before Deion Sanders can join the rest of his Colorado coaching staff. In a video recently posted by his son, Deion Sanders Jr, the NFL legend admitted that he's not yet fully recovered from his undisclosed health issue. “You know I’m still going through something,” the head coach said. “I ain’t all the way recovered.” Almost two weeks ago, Sanders took the stage at Big 12 media day, but he didn't want to address his health issues. “I’m not here to talk about my health,” Sanders said. “I’m here to talk about my team.” According to the Athletic, Sanders, who's recovering in his home in Texas, has been in close contact with his coaching staff. Colorado athletic director Rick George also said that Sanders would "probably" report to campus within the next two weeks, per the Athletic. The former Super Bowl winner has a long history of health concerns. He had two toes amputated in 2021 because of blood clots, and he went under the knife again in 2023 after reportedly dealing with some excruciating pain. The Buffaloes are transitioning into the post-Shedeur Sanders/Travis Hunter era and looking to build from last year's 9-4 record and big win at the Alamo Bowl.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
