Predators Trade Luke Evangelista To Devils For Strong Draft Pick Return
#BREAKING: We've acquired forward Luke Evangelista from Nashville in exchange for two picks in the 2028 NHL Draft.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) September 2, 2026
The Preds get Colorado’s 2028 first-round pick (conditional) and New Jersey’s 2028 second-round pick.
The playmaking forward had a terrific season for Nashville, doubling his career-high in assists this past season, handing out 44 of them to go with 12 goals for 56 points in 81 games. He averaged a career-high 16:37 of ice time per night.
He was also an excellent creator on the power play, where he handed out 16 of those assists.
The Devils have significantly improved their top-nine this summer, with Evangelista joining Evan Rodrigues and Anthony Mantha as other newcomers.
The 24-year-old Evangelista is heading into the final season of a two-year, $6 million contract ($3M AAV), so he remains a very cost-effective addition for the coming year.
The Toronto-born forward was a second-round pick of the Predators (42nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. He had spent his entire four-year career in Nashville.
Year 5 will be in New Jersey.