Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans took to Instagram to celebrate the signing of a new contract extension with the team. On Tuesday, Evans finalized a four-year deal worth $11.4 million, officially securing his future with the Canadiens and putting an end to speculation about him potentially moving to other teams around the NHL.
Evans, who was originally selected by the Canadiens in the seventh round of the 2014 NHL Draft, has spent his entire professional career with Montreal. On Wednesday, he shared a heartfelt Instagram post to express his gratitude and excitement about staying with the franchise.
The Evans deal worked out to be $3 million less (total) than I projected it would be back on Jan. 14 (https://t.co/wp2rhoGJ4q)
It’s good work from Kent Hughes, no doubt, but really speaks to how much it means to Evans wanted to remain a Montreal Canadien.— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) March 4, 2025
The caption of Evans’ post read, “Always knew 🔵⚪️🔴.” The post itself featured two photos — the first was a childhood picture of Evans proudly wearing a Canadiens jersey, while the second showed Evans alongside his wife, Emily, sitting by the rink, both dressed in Canadiens gear.
The contract, which was officially announced by Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes on Tuesday, carries an average annual value (AAV) of $2.85 million over the four years.
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A well-known NHL reporter noted that the total value of Evans’ new contract came in around $3 million lower than initial projections made earlier in the year. This reduction was seen as a reflection of just how much Evans prioritized remaining with the Canadiens rather than maximizing his earnings.
So far this season, Evans has played in 61 games, tallying 12 goals and 16 assists for a total of 28 points. He has also been particularly effective on the penalty kill, where he is tied for third among NHL players in goals scored while his team was shorthanded.
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis praised Evans for his contributions, particularly highlighting his growth on offense and his importance in the locker room. According to St. Louis, Evans’ offensive development has become much more noticeable since the coach joined the team.
In February, Evans spoke openly to the media about his appreciation for playing in Montreal. He described it as an “honor” to represent the Canadiens, emphasizing how much he has enjoyed both playing for the team and living in the city. Evans acknowledged the rich history of the organization and the pride that comes with wearing the iconic Canadiens jersey.
At the time, many interpreted his comments as a possible farewell message, especially given the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation and the slow progress in negotiations. However, with this new extension, Evans has solidified his place with the Canadiens for the fores
eeable future.