A skilled winger has signed his restricted free agent contract. Luke Evangelista signs his first contract after the expiration of his entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators. It’s a two-year deal, worth an annual average value of $3 million. After being the source of many rumours, find out with this means for the team in Nashville.
Further to @DarrenDreger report, Luke Evangelista has a two-year deal done with the #preds carrying a $3M AAV.
The NHL’s last remaining unsigned RFA will get to training camp before the season starts.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 4, 2025
Luke Evangelista Signs Contract to Stay With the Nashville Predators
At 23 years old, having found consistent ice time and roles, Evangelista appears to really be coming into his own. He’s never really had a break out season. However, he has found consistency in opportunity and production. Once you sprinkle in chemistry with linemates, he could potentially be at the cusp of really taking flight.
Evangelista has been fairly productive in his NHL career. His career highs came in 2023-24, goals (16), assists (23), points (39), and games played (80), all came in that campaign. His career average of 14:17 of ice time is a sign he can provide solid NHL potential.
Unfortunately, from 2024-25, campaign, one of most successful linemates was off to join the Carolina Hurricanes, back to the 2025 NHL trade deadline. Mark Jankowski and Thomas Novak were Evangelista’s best linemates from last season. But with Novak now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, neither of his most regular linemates are returning. Moreover, it is interesting in that they only had 129 minutes together. It meant for Evangelista personally, he didn’t spend a lot of time with a set combo of players. That can make it tricky to find chemistry on the fly.
However, with the talent the Nashville Predator forward group possesses, it isn’t difficult to set the ceiling high. Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault are a pair of Stanley Cup pedigree snipers that can prove that fact. One interesting depth player for Nashville is Russian Fedor Svechkov, he wants to prove he can be a full-time NHLer. Playing on the second line right now in pre-season practice lines, is a sign he will get some opportunity. The point is, Nashville has some flexibility in trying to find a nice fit for Evangelista. This deal could easily turn into a strong-value one for club. That could become mutually beneficial in the long run.
Main Photo Credit: Steve Roberts – Imagn Images
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