Insider Suggests Rare Maple Leafs-Canadiens Deadline Trade

A trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens doesn’t happen often, but NHL insider Frank Seravalli has linked the two teams in a potential deadline deal. Seravalli made the connection in a post published coinciding with St. Valentine’s Day in which he paired potential trade partners ahead of the deadline. The proposed move would send Canadiens center and upcoming free agent Jake Evans to Toronto in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick (via Florida) and prospect Roni Hirvonen. The idea isn’t too far-fetched following Evans’ comments hinting at a farewell from Montreal. “This feels unholy, completing a deal between the Leafs and Habs, but it wasn’t that long ago that Montreal sent another third-line center to Toronto (Tomas Plekanec) at the deadline in 2018,” Seravalli wrote. Evans, 28, is in the final season of his three-year, $5.1 million contract and is unlikely to sign an extension with Montreal. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Sunday that negotiations between Evans and the team have stalled due to financial differences. He added that multiple teams have already inquired about the availability of the center.

“Calls from teams asking about Evans have increased lately with the Habs’ slide in the standings,” LeBrun reported.

With 11 goals and 16 assists in 56 games this season, Evans is on pace for a career-best 16 goals. His two-way play and playoff experience-three Stanley Cup Final games in 2021-make Evans one of the most appealing rentals in the market for contenders.

For Toronto, adding Evans would strengthen its third line, something general manager Brad Treliving has emphasized when discussing the Maple Leafs’s trade deadline plans. The fact that Evans is a Toronto native could also increase the likelihood of a contract extension. From Montreal’s perspective, if Evans isn’t re-signing, they’ll want to maximize value by completing a trade now rather than losing the forward for nothing in free agency next July.

Seravalli compared the return to what the Canadiens received for Artturi Lehkonen in 2022 when he was traded to Colorado for a second-round pick and a prospect at that season’s deadline.