Report: Devils among teams interested in Canadiens' Evans

The New Jersey Devils are among the clubs that have kicked tires on Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Evans is enjoying a career year, collecting 10 goals and 13 assists in 40 games and shooting a robust 28.6%. The 28-year-old's previous career highs were 13 goals and 29 points in 72 games, which he set in the 2021-22 campaign. Evans has also won 50.3% of his faceoffs and racked up 56 hits this season.

The Notre Dame product is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $1.7-million cap hit.

Depth behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier down the middle figures to be the Devils' primary need. Erik Haula is the team's regular third-line center, but he's currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

It's not a foregone conclusion that the Canadiens will be sellers at the deadline, though, as they enter Thursday one point out of a playoff spot.