Overview
- The trade was announced Sept. 1 and sends winger Luke Evangelista to the Devils in exchange for New Jersey’s 2028 second-round pick and a conditional 2028 first-round pick that originally belonged to Colorado.
- The Colorado first-rounder carries conditions that can convert the selection into Colorado’s 2029 pick if Colorado’s 2027 pick is not transferred to Toronto or if Colorado’s 2028 pick lands inside the top 10.
- Evangelista, 24, comes off a career-best 56-point season and is under contract for 2026-27 with a $3 million cap hit before becoming an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent next summer.
- New Jersey’s reported remaining cap space is limited after the move, leaving roughly $1.8–1.9 million available and constraining how the Devils can add more salary before training camp.
- Predators GM Chris MacFarland said Nashville made the deal because of winger depth and a desire for draft capital and roster flexibility, a move that creates a short-term hole in the Predators’ top-six forward group and gives them more liquid assets for future trades.