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Jake Evans did not put himself in Mikko Rantanen’s situation
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Jake Evans did not put himself in Mikko Rantanen’s situation
Credit: Getty Images
Jake Evans can never aspire to be Mikko Rantanen. But there are connections to be made between the two.

I don’t know how much the former Avalanche player really expected to be traded in the event of a salary dispute with his old club, but it happened.

And since he’s been in Carolina, he’s… uh… is the term miserable too strong? A little, yes.

But you see where I’m going: whether it’s the fault of the club or the player, Rantanen has been put in a situation where he says he feels like his world has been turned upside down recently.

The trade hit him hard.

Jake Evans, I’m convinced, is aware that changing teams (and leaving an environment you love) is stressful. In recent weeks, it’s been weighing on him, from what we’ve seen.

So he decided to listen to himself and leave money on the table to stay in Montreal, a unique place to play hockey and an environment in which he was comfortable.

Be aware: I’m not saying Rantanen should have accepted any offer from his old team. But by force of circumstances, he’s in a tough spot right now.

What I’m saying is that in light of what he sees elsewhere in the NHL, Evans made the enlightened choice not to change addresses, not to touch a winning formula, and to stay in an environment he loves. And that’s to his credit.

Steven Stamkos (who didn’t have an offer to his liking from the Lightning, it should be noted) is another example. Since he’s been in Nashville, he’s not even a shadow of himself.

That doesn’t mean it would have happened to Evans elsewhere. But he didn’t want to take the risk, and that’s okay.

Meanwhile, Evans is one of the best players in his position and he won’t have to leave Emil Heineman and Joel Armia – for now, at least. As a fourth center and a specialist in numerical disadvantage, it’s hard to ask for more.

And for a seventh-round pick, it’s also hard to ask for more.


in rafale

– Speaking of the wolf.

– To read.

– It won’t be easy for Colorado in 2025.

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