Predators Forward Filip Forsberg Reacts to Trading Away Luke Evangelista - RAW CHILI

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators made an unexpected trade last week by trading away forward Luke Evangelista to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for NHL Draft compensation. New Predators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland cited a crowded forward room and the need for more assets as the motivation for the move.

Nashville’s Filip Forsberg spent the last four seasons with Evangelista and gave his reaction to the trade at the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas.

“A little surprise for sure,” Forsberg told reporters. “I thought he took a big step last year, becoming a top-six forward consistently for us and played great, especially down the stretch. I think him and Stammer [Steven Stamkos], and Factor [Ryan O’Reilly] had a great run there at the end. But at the same time, at this point, you trust the new management. Chris [MacFarland] has made a lot of really good moves this summer. As of right now, a first-and second-round pick aren’t going to play for our team this year and replace those minutes that Vange had, but who knows what’s coming? I feel like the last turn might not have been turned in this whole thing, and that’s what’s exciting. Chris has a vision and executed a lot of it right away coming in, trading a couple players, signing a couple free agents, and I’m hoping this is one of those moves that makes us better in the end.”

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