It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re in full off-season mode, but that doesn’t mean that general managers have stopped working. Some key restricted free agents are still unsigned. The off-season is around for another month before training camp. However, getting these deals done soon is very important. We’re in August, but it’ll be the start of camp soon.
One team that needs to find a deal for a new deal for an RFA is the Nashville Predators. This edition of NHL rumours deals with a young forward awaiting a contract.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Update on Contract for Nashville Predators RFA Forward
Rumour: We have another entry on Luke Fox’s list of top nine RFAs that remained unsigned. This edition of NHL rumours deals with Predators forward Luke Evangelista.
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Analysis: Last season was a double-digit campaign for the 23-year-old right winger. Evangelista recorded 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 68 games last season. Those numbers were down from the 16 goals and 39 points in 2023-24. However, he is still part of the future for the Predators.
Nashville General Manager Barry Trotz did extend a qualifying offer to Evangelista. However, that offer expired. Trotz did say that the Toronto native is part of what the organization wants going forward. The Predators are full of veterans and Evangelista is younger and faster. Nashville has needs players like him if it wants to get back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Evangelista does not have arbitration rights, so that means training camp will likely be used as a pressure point to get him signed. However, it’s not all doom-and-gloom when it comes to a contract.
The youngster said that Trotz and agent Judd Moldaver have a good relationship. Evangelista wanted to focus on his play, but he feels that something will get done.
What It Means
The question now drifts to want kind of deal the winger will get when one does get signed. Trotz said to NHL.com’s Brooks Bratten that he’d like a longer-term deal for Evangelista. The Predators’ GM said that they key is finding a term that fits.
Trotz may want to go longer, but agents are looking for shorter or middle-length deals. It seems that the rising salary cap projections have players wanting to take deals with shorter terms so they can cash in at a later date. This was the sort of solution that we mentioned in a previous edition of NHL rumours. The Seattle Kraken may go that route with RFA defenceman Ryker Evans.
Fox added that a bridge deal may be the solution for both sides. Evangelista will likely get a raise from the $797,500 that he was getting from his entry-level contract. However, the length and money seem to be hazy at this time.
Nashville currently has over $9.3 million in salary cap space, so finding money for a deal should not be an issue. However, it’s finding the right fit that will be the key to bringing this round of talks to an end.
Main photo by: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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