Last season, the New Jersey Devils made numerous changes to their lineup, on which they are about to make another addition with the signing of forward Luke Evangelista ahead of the start of the 2026-27 NHL season. It was on September 1 that New Jersey traded two selections in the 2028 first round and the 2028 second round to acquire the 24-year-old, in return for the 24-year-old. Evangelista’s points-12, assists-44, goals-56, playable season is also coming to an end.
Evangelista also earned a big pledge from New Jersey a good amount after the trade. The Devils signed a five-year deal valued at $36.25 million, averaging to $7.25 million per year. His current $3 million contract expires after the ’27-28 season, and the contract is effective for that upcoming season.
His signing brings the Devils a right wing alternative and brings back a big-play element that a forward lineup that’s gone through several changes had missed. During the offseason, the New Jersey Devils drafted Evan Rodrigues and Anthony Mantha, and the team used offseason dollars to round out Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. It is important that the Devils are changing things in an offseason where they were one of six teams to score 2.76 goals per game last season.
Since his debut with the 2023 season with Nashville, Evangelista has collected 142 points in 253 NHL games. Now, he has found himself in the midst of the Devils’ training camp and will provide the club the chance to assess his skills for use in the developing forward combinations.
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