There was a lot of grumbling when it came to Luke Evangelista this summer, but based on the start of this season, the Predators might've actually underpaid him.
The 23 year old forward is in the midst of breakout season that should result in career highs if his health is able to be maintained over the course of the year. This is coming off of missing parts of training camp and being on one of the worst scoring teams in Nashville Predators history.
So How Good Is It Going?
At 17 points (4 goals 13 assists) Evangelista is 2nd on the team in scoring, and currently leads the team in assists. He's also the only player on the team that is currently sporting a positive plus minus figure (+3) and is driving play at an insane rate.
The fancy stats are really loving what Evangelista has been able to do this season, with a 62.3% Corsi For rating, higher than your typical juggernaughts of Roman Josi (59.1%) and Filip Forsberg (57.1%). These stats are reflective of the play driving ability to help generate shots, chances, and eventually goals.
It isn't all about the offense though with Evangelista. Yes, he's goals per 60 minutes mark is around 3.1, so he's been very productive, but it is also higher than his goals against per 60, which is just 2.5, one of the lowest on the team.
Now, he's been playing some sheltered minutes with around 56% of his starts coming in the offensive zone, but the other 43% he typically isn't getting scored on in the defensive zone. He also has been one of the best on the squad in being able to get his shots onto the net, with 56.7% making it through.
How Does This Help The Predators?
Sure, yes, this isn't currently translating to wins for the Nashville Predators. That stinks, but it is at least one less thing that Barry Trotz and company is going to have to worry about.
When you look at the current Predators lineup, you've at least secured one of the top six forward spots. Evangelista is signed through the 2027 season and will probably get some good money throw at him based on this early season performance, if he's able to continue at the pace that he's currently putting up.
If they don't bail on Forsberg, you could imagine that he, Evangelista, Brady Martin, and Matthew Wood would make up a pretty formidable top four, leaving only two spots to fill, with plenty of prospects and some free agency money to spare.
It is also a win for the Predators developmental team. Evangelista is a drafted talent that is popping eyes even though he was a high 2nd round pick. Success begets success and if he can do it, then he can be part of developing players like Martin, Fedor Svechkov, Zachary L'Heureux, and others.
If Vange is able to soar past the 40 point mark, it will be the sign of great things to come for him, and hopefully a mark of the future for the Nashville Predators.