When it comes to head coaches, the Nashville Predators have historically shown immense patience. They’re not quick to make a change behind the bench. However, when it comes to young forwards, they are often more willing to make bold decisions.
In recent years, the Predators have waived Eeli Tolvanen, 25, a player with incredible promise who arrived in Nashville amid significant hype due to his impressive stint in the KHL. The team also traded their 2019 first-round pick, Philip Tomasino (23), and a former top-10 pick in Cody Glass (25). With all three players still 25 or younger, they presumably have a lot left in the tank. However, for various reasons, the Predators decided the fit wasn’t right, and the futures of these three forwards would not be in Nashville.
Given the team's history of moving young forwards when their development doesn't progress as quickly as the organization prefers, one can assume that Luke Evangelista has been feeling immense pressure, particularly in the second half of this season.
Evangelista is vital to Nashville Predators returning to playoff competition in 2025-26
The 23-year-old Evangelista, selected in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, is currently in his second full NHL season. Like many players on the roster, it’s been a tough campaign for the Toronto native. He has faced scoring droughts and even sat as a healthy scratch for several games. During these moments, it’s easy to imagine how challenging it must be for a player with so little professional experience, especially when he sees other young players being traded to new teams.
However, Evangelista made it past the trade deadline. The Predators held onto him, believing he could, and should, be part of the franchise’s future. Currently, retaining the playmaker seems like one of the few positive moves the team has made this season. Evangelista has seemingly taken a step forward recently. In a struggling season, opportunities often arise, and Evangelista has seized his. Due to injuries and trades, a spot in the top six opened up, and Evangelista’s number was called.
But as all athletes know, getting the opportunity is only part of the equation. It’s what you do with it that matters. Over his last five games, the youngster has tallied six points, including three goals—two of which came in the Predators’ 3-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes, one of the league’s top contenders and currently one of its hottest teams.
Rising to the occasion in a top-six role
Head coach Andrew Brunette gave Evangelista the opportunity to prove his worth by putting him alongside some of the team’s best talent. In arguably his best game of the season— the 3-1 win against the Hurricanes on Mar. 25—Evangelista played on a line with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly.
“He’s got a really good opportunity, and he’s taking advantage of it,” said Brunette after the victory.
Evangelista admitted that this season has been trying for him, stating, “It’s been a grind, personally and as a team.”
Despite these challenges, he has persevered and continued to work hard. With the remaining regular season games essentially meaningless for the Predators following their mathematical elimination after a loss to the St. Louis Blues on Mar. 27, many players are playing for spots on next season's roster and even for contracts. Evangelista is among those fighting for a new deal.
After this season ends, he will become a restricted free agent. Arguably, not extending a qualifying offer and letting Evangelista walk would be a mistake, even if the team doesn’t see him as part of their long-term future plans. But as we've seen before, it wouldn’t be the first time the Predators have waved goodbye to a young forward and received nothing in return.
So, the Predators will face a decision this offseason. Bringing Evangelista back makes sense. For a young player with his resume, the cost will likely be minimal, and it appears Evangelista still has significant upside. Some of the struggles we’ve seen this season may simply stem from his lack of confidence.
When discussing Evangelista's recent improvement, Brunette said, “I think he’s getting more comfortable.”
It’s clear that Evangelista is making smarter decisions and looking more confident when he’s involved in offensive zone cycles. Of course, the season has been difficult for everyone, but for young players experiencing this for the first time as professionals, it can be a valuable learning experience. Evangelista may emerge better from this adversity, and it could accelerate the development that the Predators are always eager to see in their younger players.
This season, the message has remained consistent: the team expects success and will strive to achieve it at the highest level, possibly as early as next season. They’re not interested in taking a step back, and they’re certainly not pursuing a rebuild. So, if a trade involving Evangelista were on the table and GM Barry Trotz thought it would improve the team in the present, he would likely accept it, adding Evangelista to the list of players like Tolvanen, Tomasino, and Glass.
However, management must pay attention to the recent flashes of potential from a player who is still just 23 years old. Unlike the arguably hasty decisions made with other young forwards, it may be wiser to adopt the same patient mindset they’ve long maintained with their head coaches.