Jake Evans turned in another eye-catching performance Friday night, helping the Montreal Canadiens edge out the Detroit Red Wings 4-3.
The 27-year-old forward has been making a strong case to stay put in Montreal, even as trade rumors have been swirling around him.
Under head coach Martin St. Louis’s guidance, Evans has really found his groove lately. He’s been the kind of player who makes things happen every time he hits the ice.
Friday’s game might just be the one that keeps him in a Habs jersey. General manager Kent Hughes has been fielding calls about Evans, but those phone conversations might be getting shorter these days.
It’s quite a turnaround for a guy who was drafted 207th overall back in 2014. Evans has transformed himself from a seventh-round longshot into someone the Canadiens are now thinking twice about trading.
The win over Detroit showed exactly why. Evans was everywhere on the ice, making smart plays and creating opportunities that don’t always show up on the scoresheet.
