Trade brewing between Oilers and Canadiens

Heading into training camp next month, the Canadiens have a surplus of centres, which is quite new in Montreal. Nick Suzuki, Sean Monahan, Kirby Dach, Christian Dvorak and Alex Newhook are all natural centermen, and so, where does Jake Evans come in? He makes for six for four spots and this may have prompted Kurt Leavins to list Evans as a potential fit for the Edmonton Oilers.

Leavins believes the Oilers will look for upgrades during the season and listed Evans, along with Washington Capitals Nic Dowd as potential options for Edmonton.

Evans is younger than Dowd, at 27 and is coming off of three seasons with the Canadiens where he put up 19 points in 54 games, also dealing with serious injuries. With the crowded center in Montreal, Evans shouldn’t be too comfortable about his long-term spot with the Canadiens and could even benefit from a change of scenery. His shutdown assignments and penalty-kill work fit with the Oilers.

At $1.7 million, Evans is affordable but if he’s unlikely to move higher on the depth chart, he could end up on the trade block. Edmotnon might take a go at him since he is worthy of having around, whether that’s in Montreal or elsewhere. Like Edmonton.

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