The Montreal Canadiens are contemplating the future of forward Jake Evans, whose pending unrestricted free agency status at a $1.7 million cap hit makes him an attractive trade option. While his ideal role may be as a fourth-line center for a contender, Evans has proven his versatility by playing third-line minutes and being effective at both center and wing. Teams such as the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, and Columbus Blue Jackets have shown interest, with the Capitals reportedly offering a second-round pick during the draft.

Despite the current injury to defenseman Kaiden Guhle, the Canadiens remain committed to their long-term strategy. They are not seeking short-term rental solutions but are focused on trades that would benefit the team beyond the current season. The Canadiens are weighing their options for other pending UFAs such as Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Michael Pezzetta, and David Savard as they look to build for the future.