Montreal Canadiens sign centre Jake Evans to four-year contract extension

Montreal Canadiens centre Jake Evans (71) takes the puck from Utah Hockey Club centre Barrett Hayton, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. The Canadiens signed Evans to a four-year contract extension on Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rick Egan

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens signed centre Jake Evans to a four-year contract extension on Tuesday.

The deal, which kicks in next season and runs through 2028-29, will pay Evans an average annual value of US$2.85 million, for a total of $11.4 million.

Evans was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, leading to rumours he might be dealt before Friday's trade deadline.

"So excited for the next four years and so happy I get to stay here," Evans said in a video posted to social media by the Canadiens.

In 61 games this season, the 28-year-old from Toronto has 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points, one shy of tying his career high.

The defensively responsible Evans is also a key contributor on the Canadiens' penalty kill, ranking second among NHL forwards in short-handed ice time (2:52 per game).

"Jakey's a big part of our group, does so much for us," veteran forward Brendan Gallagher said after Montreal's 4-3 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. “He’s done everything he could, he’s controlled what he can control and played good hockey … we love Jakey, we love to have him around."

The Canadiens selected Evans in the seventh round, 207th overall, of the 2014 NHL draft. He has played 329 games with the franchise, totalling 39 goals and 81 assists.

Evans is currently in the final season of a three-year contract worth $1.7 million annually.

The extension keeps him in Montreal and pulls his name off trade boards, but the Canadiens have other pending unrestricted free agent who could be on the move this week.

Forwards Christian Dvorak and Michael Pezzetta, and defenceman David Savard are playing out the final season of their respective contracts.

Montreal (30-26-5, 65 points) was one point outside of the playoffs entering Tuesday's NHL action.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2025.

The Canadian Press