His trade value will never be higher.

I’ve finally decided that the Montreal Canadiens should trade Jake Evans while his value is high. But I have a different take on what to ask for in this trade and I think it would serve the organization better over time.

As a center on the market, he will have suitors. Do I believe Evans is having a career year, I do. I’ve seen him play a lot over the years and felt like he was a 30-35 point player and he might exceed that this year. But he’s 28, and I’m not sure he has five years close to him left in the NHL.

Since the Canadiens are likely to be a team on the verge for a few more years, they are hoping they get three solid years of production when they’re contending and I feel like he has a lot of mileage on him for his skill set. Age doesn’t always predict when a player will be in decline.

Evans has a 51% face-off percentage and that’s good for a contending team if they are looking for a fourth-line center. He’s not a 3C on a good team, which mitigates his value a bit but signing him with the cap up will guarantee that he gets more than he’s worth down the line.

Off the year he’s having, a conditional second-round pick might be in order. However, the Canadiens should be looking for a prospect who is close to the NHL or a young player who is in his RFA year and that team doesn’t have any room for him. It’s a way of staying young and not having to wait 3-5 years for a draft pick to develop.