Troubling Turn of Events in Evangelista Stalemate With Predators

Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators forward, skates with puck

When it comes to the remaining few restricted free agents around the NHL, most eyes are focused on Luke Hughes in New Jersey and Mason McTavish in Anaheim. But another promising youngster, Luke Evangelista, is also having a tough time coming to an agreement on a new deal, with the Nashville Predators.

Now there's a very troubling turn of events in this stalemate, as the 23-year-old has left Nashville and is headed home for Oakville, Ontario (just outside of Toronto) to continue his training on ice.

The latest Luke Evangelista update from @DarrenDreger is a bombshell. Evangelista has left for Canada, and yeah sure he can be back quick, but again the optics are terrible and only getting worse.

Tells me Evangelista is begging to be traded if he's shooting high on AAV.
— Chad Minton (@chad_minton) September 22, 2025

Insider Darren Dreger adds that the two sides remain "significantly apart on money", though a two-year contract does seem to be the term they're working with, per GM Barry Trotz.

Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast calls this development "a bad sign." He also indicated that the Predators are "not close" to Evangelista's ask, and "there's a gulf."

And to complete the insider doom & gloom trifecta on Evangelista, Chris Johnston said on his podcast a couple of days back that this whole situation is getting "a little bit uneasy."

Hearing from Trotz himself, he, too, admits they're "too far apart", but he still does think they'll get something done.

@PredsNHL GM Barry Trotz gave his update on the Luke Evangelista contract negotiations on the @ChaseOnGame & @BIGJOEONTHEGO Show!
"I think the one thing we both agree is the right term is sort of a two year deal... we are just too far apart right now to do a deal". - Barry… pic.twitter.com/kmLFkCbMic
— 102.5 The Game (@1025TheGame) September 19, 2025

For what it's worth, AFP Analytics called for a two-year, $2.5 million contract for Evangelista, but it sounds like the RFA, who posted 32 points in 68 games last season, has a much higher AAV in mind.