Report: New Jersey Monitoring Canadiens Forward for Potential Devils Trade

Before you know it, the March 7th NHL Trade Deadline will be here, and you already know the New Jersey Devils will be buyers. In fact, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald hasn’t been afraid to get his work done before the deadline, giving his acquisitions some time to settle in to their new surroundings. According to a report, the Devils have already identified a potential trade target to bolster their lineup.

RELATED: Devils GM Could Be Forced Into Tough Decision

According to insider Pierre LeBrun via TSN, the Devils have identified Montreal Canadiens center, Jake Evans, as a fit for their lineup. LeBrun explained Fitzgerald has already had discussions with Canadiens GM Kent Hughes, although the Habs prefer to keep the player.

Jake Evans is the big name among the [Canadiens] pending free agents… Evans is playing the best hockey of his career, and he’s also 28 years old,” Lebrun explained. “This is his moment, contract-wise. He’s at the peak of his career. He’s on pace for a 20-goal season. I should point out he’s shooting 28%, which is easily a career-high. His career average is 10%. The bottom line is Jake Evans is healthy and he’s playing great.

“The Habs have informed Evans that they will try to sign him. They’re interested in keeping him around beyond this season.  But I also think a part of that message is they can’t afford for Evans to get his home-run deal in Montreal. There’s going to have to be some give and take for Evans to remain a Montreal Canadiens after this season. They’ve only had preliminary discussions, they haven’t really gotten into numbers yet. But that message from the Habs to Evans has certainly been sent, how they value him and want to keep him around.”

Through 40 games this season, Evans has scored 10 goals and 23 points, skating on the Habs fourth line between Joel Armia and Emil Heineman. He’s a responsible, two-way center who boasts strong defensive metrics. However, he’s figured out a way this season to find the back of the net more frequently.

Although the Canadiens want to retain Evans, it’s easier said than done. The Canadiens have young talent coming through the pipeline such as Oliver Kapanen and Sean Farrell, that the term has to be right in order for Montreal to sign him to an extension.

“If they can’t sign him, and I think term can be hurddle in this negotiation once they get going for real, I don’t know that the Habs can view themselves going 5-6 years, giving all the other guys they have coming in this system… Let’s see where it goes, but the tough part will be this,” LeBrun explained.

If the two sides can’t figure out a deal, it sounds like the Devils are one of the few playoff contending teams who have been proactive about acquiring the services of Evans.

“Because Evans only makes $1.7 million, I know a lot of Cup contenders have circled his name and are waiting to see how Montreal plays that situation out. For example, the Devils, I’m told, are among the teams that have already kicked tires on Evans, the Devils are looking for a center.”

READ MORE: Devils Trade Chatter; Tom Fitzgerald in San Jose, Concern Over Scoring

By now, it’s old news that the Devils are searching for depth scoring. Lately, Paul Cotter has resurfaced as a candidate to chip in on offense. However, the well has dried up in the Devils’ bottom six in terms of depth scoring.

Further, Erik Haula is going to be sidelined with an ankle injury, therefore, the Devils very well could use a center.

Evans certainly fits the mold in terms of a Devils trade. This one could come down to the NHL trade deadline wire while the Canadiens figure out if they want to keep the right-shot center or not.

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