The New Jersey Devils, under new General Manager Sunny Mehta, continue reworking and adding depth to the roster. On Tuesday night, the Devils announced they acquired forward Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators.
#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
In exchange for Evangelista, the Nashville Predators will receive a conditional first-round and second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
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Per the press releases by both the Devils and Predators, the conditions are as follows: “In the event that either a) Colorado’s 2027 first-round pick is not transferred to Toronto; or b) Colorado’s 2028 first-round pick falls within the top 10, Nashville shall instead receive Colorado’s 2029 first-round pick.”
? Trade
To #NJDevils
Luke Evangelista 24 y/o F, Yr 2/2 $3MTo #Preds
’28 1st (COL – Top 10 Protected, slides to ’29 unprotected)
’28 2ndNJD adds net $3M cap hithttps://t.co/YtfJbfMoJ8
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 2, 2026
Evangelista enters the final year of a two-year deal worth $6 million with a $3 million average annual value. In four seasons in the NHL, all with the Nashville Predators, Evangelista has recorded 142 career points (45 goals and 97 assists) in 253 regular-season games. Last season with the Predators, Evangelista played in 81 games, tallying a career-high 56 points, including 12 goals and a career-high 44 assists.
2026-27 New Jersey Devils Season Preview
This is a solid top-six player for the Devils. If he gets the right situation, he can keep seeing his goals, assists, and point totals rise. Evangelista is a controllable asset in a contract year.
Luke Evangelista was a real bright spot in Nashville’s top-six and he’s probably going to be even better in New Jersey. He’s cost effective this year, but should be in for a nice raise next summer. pic.twitter.com/Al9lIs9G4B
— Shayna (@shaynagoldman_) September 2, 2026
GM Sunny Mehta continues to add depth to his roster with the likes of Evangelista, Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, Anthony Mantha, Ben Steeves, Amadeus Lombardi, and Declan Chisholm. However, that means they have 14 forwards under contract with $1.85 million in projected cap space before Lomdardi, and Lenni Hameenaho are added to the roster.
The #NJDevils now have $1.85M in Projected Cap Space with 14 Forwards on their active roster via @PuckPedia
That doesn’t even include Amadeus Lombardi who Sunny Mehta traded a 4th round pick for or Lenni Hameenaho.
More to come… https://t.co/U2TbpkzGVr
— Keith (@KeithKavJr) September 2, 2026
As GM Sunny Mehta has stated, the painting is never finished. As TheDevilsNation.com and NHLRumors.com have documented, a player like Dawson Mercer could be the odd man out if the Devils make a big move, say for a Quinn Hughes or a Connor Hellebuyck. Both players have been linked to New Jersey for obvious, but different, reasons.
Solid move by the Devils to acquire Luke Evangelista from Nashville.
His name had been out there going back and to last year. And another player that the Predators whiffed on.
Had a lengthy contract battle last year.
Again MacFarland was done. Neither was Mehta.
Mehta:… https://t.co/6AECYfXegw
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) September 2, 2026
As far as the Nashville Predators go, another young player is out the door; however, this might have been coming given the contract issue going back to last season. While not GM Chris MacFarland’s problem, Evangelista’s role may have diminished with players like Mavrik Bourque, Nils Hoglander, Ross Colton, and Jack Drury coming in.
NHL Rumors: Would Connor Hellebuyck Go to the Edmonton Oilers?
Per GM Chris MacFarland: “We know Luke is a good, young player who has endeared himself to our fans, so this decision was not made lightly,” MacFarland said. “At the same time, we’ve explored all possibilities in pursuit of making our team better moving forward. This trade brings us two more high draft picks, giving us seven in the first two rounds over the next two seasons; provides us with flexibility from a roster and salary cap standpoint to make additional improvements to our team; and creates a space for the promising young wingers within our organization to compete for, and earn, an NHL job. We wish Luke all the best in New Jersey.”
With the season right around the corner, the action is picking up. Both teams may not be finished, given the assets they have acquired.
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