The Devils acquired forward Luke Evangelista from the Predators on Tuesday night in exchange for a 2028 first rounder and a 2028 second rounder. The move gives New Jersey an abundance of depth that up front has both insiders and fans wondering if bigger dominoes are about to fall.
First, lets take a look at the player. From afar this seems like steal for Sunny Mehta who adds a 24 year, old 50+ point, defensively elite, top six, play driving, low cap hit($3m), right winger who will still be under team control upon the contracts end in 2027. As we take a closer look, things only get better.
When it comes to style of play, Luke is an extremely creative, smooth skating, player with great vision that elevates those around him. It was Evangelista who is credited in turning Steven Stamkos' season around in Nashville last year. Following an 8-3 loss to Florida at the end of November, Evangelista was added to a line with Stamkos and Ryan O'Reilly and results were instant. In his first 10 games with Evangelista as his mate, the stagnant Stamkos erupted for 8 goals and 3. In addition to solidifying themselves as the top scoring line for the Preds, they also shut down opponents, earning the 34th best expected goals share in the entire NHL, at nearly 60%. Perhaps it is Evangelista that can help a guy like Timo Meier bang home the extra 5-10 goals we've all been looking for.
The contract is another win for New Jersey as the 24 year old will make just $3m in 26-27', and will be an RFA at years end. My gut tells me Evangelista will not reach that RFA status as NJ would be wise to lock this player up to a mid-long term deal prior to the season. From what I've been hearing this is an exact analytics match for Sunny Mehta, Evangelista's stats are very good but his underlying numbers prove he can be even better. If Mehta can lock him up long term for anything under $6m per, it would be one of those winning contracts that the Devils GM stresses are needed to build a winning roster at this level.
Haters will say the Devils overpaid, but haters are idiots! Mehta gave up what will be a late first rounder (Colorado's 2028) and the Devils own second round pick from that year. THE DEVILS DO NOT NEED DRAFT PICKS! This team is in win now mode. Second rounders in 2028 most are absolutely useless to this Devils core and essentially thats all they gave up. Firstly, only 34-40% of second round picks even make the NHL and 10-15% end up being a top six forward or top two pair D man. In addition, second round picks take 3-5 years to crack the lineup on average! I'm sorry but the Devils don't need any lottery tickets that even if they win, and it's a big IF, cannot be redeemed until 2031 at best. Furthermore, at last year's deadline gave up a first, a third, Jonathan Drouin, and a goaltending prospect for 34 year old Brayden Schenn. Schenn who registered just 39 points, has a $6.5m cap hit which, by the way is more than double that of Evangelista. Either way, haters gonna hate.
So now what?
The Devils are left with too many NHL level forwards. No, it's not an "oops" by Mehta, it's setting up for what I and many others believe is a way bigger deal that is in the works. The Devils now have 14 NHL forwards and 16 if you count Mehta's coveted pickup in Amadeus Lombardi and young Fin, Lenni Hameenaho. Taking a look at the list it seems clear that both Nick Bjugstad and Stefan Noesen would be on the outs one way or another. In addition, it's poor Dawson Mercer whose name I feel I only type when I'm saying he will be traded. Guys like Meier and Arseny Grisyuk's names have been speculated as well, but I doubt Mehta would move off of either. With just a $2.5m cap hit, Cody Glass could give center-thirsty teams much needed help as well, yet he's given his value that's another player Sunny would be hesitant to ship out.
Is it Quinn? Is it Helly? We are not exactly sure, but based on how I believe Mehta values high priced goaltending, and how the Minnesota Wild keep pushing back their "panic time" (which is now at the conclusion of the National Anthem on opening night), I'd bet on QH being the one on NJ's sights. Either way you slice it, the Devils and Mehta are cookin' and the rest of the Metro should be shooken' (yea I made that word up for the sake of the rhyme scheme, so???).
Let's hear your reactions in the comments! Do you think a blockbuster trade is coming???