Seventh-rounder Jake Evans making most of opportunity on Canadiens’ second-line

By Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press on November 16, 2024.

Montreal Canadiens' Jake Evans, centre, celebrates his goal over Columbus Blue Jackets with teammates Arber Xhekaj (72) and Alex Newhook (15) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

MONTREAL – Only three players were drafted behind Jake Evans in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

And yet, only 38 players from that draft class have produced more points than the Montreal Canadiens’ seventh-round draft choice, 207th overall, from the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League.

Evans scored his 100th career point in the Canadiens’ 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at Bell Centre. That made him the first Canadiens’ seventh-round draft pick to ever hit the century mark in points.

“It’s cool,” said Evans. “Growing up, your dream is to play one game in the NHL. You keep striving for more. To reach that milestone is another cool mark.

“It’s on to the next one now. Just got to keep pushing.”

Evans, who began the season on Montreal’s fourth line, has seen his ice time steadily increase in recent weeks. He has made the most of his opportunity centring the Canadiens’ second line between Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook.

He had the third-highest ice time among Montreal’s forwards, playing 17 minutes 22 seconds, behind only captain Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach.

“It’s nice getting those opportunities,” he said. “I feel like ever since Marty (head coach Martin St. Louis) took over, there’s little things I can keep improving on and that I have been improving on.

“To get those opportunities to play with Cole and Newy (Newhook) is a lot of fun. They are great playmakers.”

The Toronto native already has three goals this season, almost halfway to the seven goals Evans scored in a full 82-game 2023-24 season. It took him 53 games to score his third goal of the season last year, a far cry from the mere 18 games it took him to accomplish the feat this season.

St. Louis has the utmost faith Evans and praised the centre for his ability to play up and down the lineup.

“I know he is capable of playing in different chairs,” said St. Louis. “He played a good game. He plays important minutes. When he plays on a second line like that, I am comfortable with him on the ice against the other team’s top lines.

“He is able to be responsible. That line was tiring tonight.”

St. Louis also knows a thing or two about being underestimated in his career. The Canadiens bench boss went undrafted, before ultimately scoring over 1,000 points in a Hall of Fame career.

“I didn’t even know Jake was a seventh-rounder,” said St. Louis. “When you get to a certain age, the league doesn’t care what round you were drafted. It doesn’t. If you can play, you’re going to play in this league.”

WELCOME BACK

Montreal acknowledged both forward Sean Monahan and defenceman Jordan Harris’s first game back at the Bell Centre during a first-period game stoppage. Monahan played 74 games for Montreal across two seasons before being traded by the Canadiens to the Winnipeg Jets at last season’s trade deadline. Harris began his career with Montreal before an off-season trade sent him to Columbus for the injured Patrik Laine and a 2026 second-round draft pick.

SAVARD SIDELINED

David Savard was a late scratch for Montreal. The veteran Canadiens defenceman missed his first game of the season with an upper-body injury. Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis offered no further update on Savard’s condition during his post-game media availability.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2024.