The Toronto Maple Leafs are in need of a third-line center, and one NHL insider has a trade proposal to fix the problem.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff.com proposed a trade that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Jake Evans from the Montreal Canadiens.
Canadiens acquire Jake Evans.
Roni Hirvonen is Florida’s 2025 second-round pick.
Seravalli’s proposed transaction makes sense for both sides, as Toronto gains a third-line center. Meanwhile, Montreal would receive a prospect as well as a second-round pick in exchange for a pending UFA forward.
Evans is in the final year of his three-year, $5.1 million contract. The rugged veteran forward would make an ideal third-line center for the Maple Leafs, providing attack while also playing a lockdown role. Evans has 11 goals and 16 assists for a total of 27 points across 56 games.
In exchange, Montreal would receive a second-round pick, which would be the main component of the transaction, as getting something back for a pending UFA is critical for the Habs. Montreal would receive Hirvonen, a 23-year-old forward prospect who was selected in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft. This season in the AHL, Hirvonen has 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points in 36 games. He could perhaps play NHL minutes for Montreal this season.
Insider Explains the Maple Leafs-Canadiens Deal
The suggested agreement from Seravalli is intriguing, and the insider believes both teams will accept it.
Although deals between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens are uncommon, Seravalli believes the deal makes sense and that they can avoid trading with their rival.
“Completing a transaction between the Leafs and Habs feels unclean, but it wasn’t that long ago that Montreal shipped another third-line center to Toronto (Tomas Plekanec) at the 2018 trade deadline. According to Seravalli, the Canadiens are unlikely to extend Evans’ contract, as he is more likely to leave.
“Evans is also on pace to score a career-high 16 goals, so he can contribute offensively. He has appeared in three Stanley Cup Final games, so he will not be overwhelmed by the occasion,” Seravalli remarked. “Plus, he’s a Toronto native, so there’s obvious re-signing potential, making this late second-round pick a worthwhile venture. If Evans does not return, the Canadiens will look to maximize value. They had a mid-second round pick on the table for Evans at last June’s Draft; this isn’t it because he’s from Florida, but perhaps a flier on another Finnish forward who was a second-round pick in 2020 will suffice.”
If Montreal is unable to reach an agreement with Evans by March 7, he would most certainly be traded, and Seravalli believes the Maple Leafs are interested in him.
The Maple Leafs are looking to add a center ahead of the March 7 trade deadline.
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving stated on January 13 that Toronto is trying to add a center.
“I think we have depth. “We have a lot of guys who can play this position,” Treliving added. “Is it an area where we continue to try to improve? I’d say that the guys at the top of the food chain are pretty good. Auston, and how can you talk anything but favorably about the year John’s having? So to say you’ll get someone above that, I don’t think it’s feasible. Is there anything further we can do to build on that? Sure. I believe there is considerable depth there; is this an area we should investigate further? I am sure there is one, but we, along with 15 or 18 other clubs, are looking for center depth.”
Toronto is 33-20-2 and is second in the Atlantic Division.