Did New Jersey Just Hose the Predators in the Evangelista Trade?

I can only imagine that Evangalista was having talks with Nashville about his next contract and Nashville did not like what they were hearing. Luke is one of the best young shutdown wingers in the game and currently making 3 million but will be an RFA needing a contract next summer with arbitration rights. Evangelista was deployed against top lines a lot last year and fared very well. The fact that he is not much of a shooter and more of a playmaker and that he is not overly physical but more cerebral in his approach to his defensive game can have him go unnoticed with how valuable he is. Not surprised that astute analytics guy like Mehta snapped him up. It is this kind of player assessment that allowed him to be part of building the juggernaut that is the Florida Panthers as an assistant G.M. and head of analytics. New Jersey didn't even give up their own 1st in the deal, they gave up the one they got from Calgary in the Nemec that Calgary got from Colorado. Probably a very late pick. The Devils crushed this trade IMO but we will have to see what Evangalista" contract looks next year. Anything in the 7-8 mil area is fine.