Source: Predators, Luke Evangelista reach 2-year, $6M deal

Greg WyshynskiOct 3, 2025, 08:57 PM ET

CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.

The Nashville Predators and forward Luke Evangelista agreed on a two-year contract Friday, a source told ESPN, ending the final restricted free agent stalemate of the NHL preseason.

The contract carries a $3 million average annual value, the source said. Evangelista will be a restricted free agent again when this contract expires.

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Evangelista, 23, is entering his fourth NHL season after being drafted 42nd by Nashville in 2020. He had 10 goals and 22 assists in 68 games in 2024-25, skating to a minus-2 in 13:52 of average ice time.

He did not report to training camp amid a contentious negotiation with the Predators. The two sides traded offers for months and had recently discussed a three-year extension before agreeing on a two-year deal.

Despite the prolonged talks, Nashville general manager Barry Trotz said recently he had no interest in trading Evangelista and saw him as part of a “great young group” of players on the Predators.