The New Jersey Devils made a big move to add a young scorer to their roster. They brought forward Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators in a swap that happened late Tuesday night. The Predators gave up a 24-year-old player who just had his best season ever. In return, Nashville gets a conditional first-round pick in 2028 and a second-round pick from New Jersey for the same year. This is a clear sign that the Devils want to add more offense to a team that lacks depth up front.
Daily Faceoff reports that the initial first-round selection was held by the Colorado Avalanche before being traded to New Jersey in a prior transaction featuring Maxim Tsyplakov and Simon Nemec. The condition for the pick is specific. If the Avalanche’s 2027 first-round pick does not go to the Toronto Maple Leafs, or if their 2028 pick lands in the top 10, the Predators will get the 2029 first-rounder instead. This adds a layer of risk and reward for both sides. The Devils are betting on immediate help, while Nashville is banking on future draft capital.
Dobber Hockey reports that Evangelista is on a very cheap deal for this year. He makes just $3 million, which is a bargain for a player with his skill set. He is still a restricted free agent when the contract ends next summer. This means the Devils get a high-output player for a low cost for one season before they have to decide on a new, likely expensive, contract. The math works in New Jersey’s favor if he stays healthy and productive.
Why The Predators Let Him Go
It might seem strange for Nashville to trade a young star who just scored 56 points. But the move makes sense if you look at the money coming due. Next summer, Evangelista will qualify as a restricted free agent who retains arbitration rights. This means he could ask for a huge pay raise, possibly into the eight-figure salary range. The Predators might have decided to get value now rather than risk losing him for less later or paying him too much. They seem to be looking at a different path for their future.
Dobber Hockey observes that Nashville’s acquisitions this summer of depth players indicated an intention to climb the standings. However, shipping out a young core piece for picks tells a different story. It suggests they are worried about the cost of keeping their young stars. Unless these picks are flipped in a bigger deal later, the trade signals a shift in their long-term plan. They are trading a proven scorer for assets that might help them later.
Removing Evangelista from the roster will elevate several other wingers within Nashville. Matthew Wood, Joakim Kemell, and Nils Hoglander each aim to restore their career paths. They will have to battle for spots that Evangelista previously held. This trade creates a shakeup in the Predators’ forward group and forces younger players to step up or risk being left behind.
For fantasy managers, this is a massive boost for Luke Evangelista. He is likely going to end up on one of the top two lines for the Devils. He could play alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, or he might join Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. Either way, he gets to play with some of the best talent in the league. This should help his even-strength numbers go up significantly. His ice time could jump from about 14:30 per game to around the 16-minute mark.
However, there is a catch regarding the power play. With Hughes, Meier, Bratt, and Hischier already in place, there is a real possibility that Evangelista sees very little power-play time. His best hope is to supplant Timo Meier, who was dropped off the top unit for the final quarter of last season. If Evangelista does not get on the top unit, his power-play production could drop drastically. He had 17 power-play points last season, and knocking 10 to 12 points off that total would be tough to replace at even strength.
Despite the power-play risk, the safe projection for Evangelista is still in the 55-point range, similar to last year. But if he sticks with the top unit, he could approach 70 points. The Devils are a retooling team that is hungry for more young talent under new general manager Sunny Mehta. Evangelista fits that mold perfectly. In his first three full seasons, he has quietly grown into a solid scorer on the wing. He posted 12 goals and 44 assists for a career-high 56 points in 81 games last season. He also had a plus/minus of +1 while averaging 16:37 of ice time.
The trade is a win for the Devils who need offense. It is a calculated risk for the Predators who want to manage their cap. For fantasy players, it is a clear buy signal for Evangelista. He has the talent to break out, provided he gets the right line and ice time. The Devils have a lot of stars, so finding the right fit is key. If he lands on the Hughes line, his value skyrockets. If he ends up on the third line, his value drops. The next few weeks of camp will decide his fate.
Who Gets The Short End of the Stick
This trade leaves a hole for Anthony Mantha or Dawson Mercer. They are the other two top-six options at right wing for the Devils. One of them will likely end up on the third line. This move could also bump Connor Brown down to the fourth line. The Devils have a crowded front office, and this trade forces a tough choice. It is bad news for one of those players unless they get shipped out in a bigger deal for a star player who has requested a trade.
New Jersey has a lot of young talent, but they also have a lot of contracts to manage. The addition of Evangelista adds to the mix. He is coming off the best season of his young career. In 253 regular-season games in the NHL, he has potted 45 goals and 97 assists for 142 points. He also scored one goal during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Smashville. The London Knights product was taken by the Predators in the second round, 42nd overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft.
