3 Possible Trade Destinations For Predators' Evangelista

There is always a chance that a player who is a RFA and goes through the entire summer without a new contract is a potential trade candidate. In certain cases, that could be true for Luke Evangelista of the Nashville Predators as Luke Fox reported that the two sides are far apart on contract negotiations.

The two sides can't seem to agree on the term of the next contract and the Predators, already having made a number of changes since their struggles began last season, might look to further shake things up. If that's the case, there are a few ideal destinations where Evangelista could end up.

San Jose Sharks

I've often emphasized just how bad the San Jose Sharks' forward group is going into this season, and grabbing a young player with NHL experience could be the perfect addition to get a little better now and really help out in the near future. The Sharks can afford to take a chance on Evangelista with a longer contract and have the assets to pull him from the Predators, whether that includes a forward who can play in the NHL and contribute this season as well. Evangelista would get top-6 minutes, likely on the second line beside Will Smith, on the Sharks and it would give the team at least one more capable player in the mix.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins also have one of the weaker forward groups after some questionable moves going back to the trade deadline. It is tough losing players like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, but the team hasn't recovered since then and gave Brad Marchand away for below market value. Whether Pavel Zacha or Casey Mittelstadt are going to be traded or not, Evangelista would be able to slide into the middle-6 and give the team a little more hope. Despite what Tanner Jeannot was paid, he will likely find himself on the fourth line and Matthew Poitras might bounce between the bottom two lines. There is absolutely room for Evangelista to come in as the Bruins would rather retool than rebuild and he is a piece that fit that mentality.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be out quite a few veteran forwards pretty soon if Evgeni Malkin is playing his last season in Pittsburgh and both Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust are going to be dealt. The team is going into a rebuild and the Penguins still need to build up the youth so it isn't a very long one. Evangelista isn't a prospect, but is a young NHL player with upside who can come in and be a top-6 replacement for someone right off the bat, likely succeeding in the process as he'll be leaned on more than in Nashville. Even at this time, Anthony Mantha and Danton Heinen are projected to be top-6 players, Evangelista is an upgrade there and what the Penguins should be looking for.