The New Jersey Devils added a skilled playmaking winger on Tuesday, acquiring Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators. New Jersey sent the Colorado Avalanche’s conditional 2028 first-round pick, plus their own 2028 second-round selection the other way.
The condition on the Colorado first round pick is as follows:
In the event that either a) Colorado’s 2027 first-round pick is not transferred to Toronto; or b) Colorado’s 2028 first-round pick falls within the Top 10, Nashville shall instead receive Colorado’s 2029 first-round pick.
That Avalanche first-rounder did not start in Newark. Colorado originally held the selection. On March 6, 2026, the Calgary Flames obtained it when they shipped Nazem Kadri and a 2027 fourth-rounder to Denver in exchange for Victor Olofsson, prospect Maxmilian Curran, a conditional 2027 second, and the protected 2028 first.
Three months later, on June 23, the Devils claimed the same pick from Calgary in the Simon Nemec trade. New Jersey moved Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov west and received defenseman Etienne Morin, a 2026 second-rounder, a conditional Vegas Golden KNights first, and Colorado’s 2028 first (top-10 protected, with further conditions involving Toronto and a possible 2029 slide). The pick remains one of New Jersey’s more valuable future assets, even with the protections attached.
Evangelista, 24, grew up in the Toronto area and tore through the OHL with the London Knights. As captain in 2021-22 he poured in 55 goals and 111 points. Nashville took him 42nd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. After a brief AHL stint with Milwaukee that included an All-Star nod, he reached the NHL in February 2023. He put up 39 points as a rookie and finished ninth in Calder voting.
Evangelista scored a career-high 16 goals in 80 gmaes during the 2023-24 season. Yet, last season he set career highs with 44 assists and 56 points in 81 games. The right-shot forward sees the ice well. He is signed through next season at $3 million.
The 6-foot, 183-lb forward signed a two-year, $6 million deal last October and will be a restricted free-agent with arbitration rights on July 1st, 2027.
The deal gives the Devils further middle-six production and depth without a long-term commitment.
The Devils now have $1.85 million in projected cap space heading into training camp as of this trade.
James is a fully credentialed New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and the … More about James Nichols