Montreal Canadiens rely on Jake Evans for upcoming NHL season

Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans is entering the 2026-27 NHL season as a focal point for the team’s bottom-six rotation. While known primarily for defensive consistency and penalty killing, Evans provided significant support during the previous postseason. He recorded 10 points and a plus-11 rating across 19 playoff games, building on a regular-season campaign that saw him total 24 points in 68 games. The Canadiens look to leverage his two-way skill set to build on last year's performance. Coaches and management expect him to maintain his defensive responsibilities while attempting to reach the higher offensive totals he recorded during the 2024-25 season. His ability to anchor the bottom six remains a key component of the team's internal strategy as they look to improve their standing this year.

• 10:22 PMYahoo Sports — This Canadiens Forward Is A Big Player To Watch This Season