The Nashville Predators and restricted free agent forward Luke Evangelista remain significantly apart in contract negotiations, reports TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.
Dreger reports the holdup is regarding money on a two-year term, although discussions remain ongoing.
Ongoing discussions between the Nashville Predators and Luke Evangelista; however, the two sides remain significantly apart on money on a 2 yr term. The talented young forward has left Nashville and is returning to Canada to continue to train while negotiations continue.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 21, 2025
According to Dreger, Evangelista has left Nashville and gone back to Canada to continue training while negotiations continue.
The 23-year-old had 10 goals and 22 assists for a total of 32 points in 68 games last season for the Preds, his third with the team at the NHL level.
The Toronto native was coming off a three-year deal that carried a cap hit of just under $800,000.
He was selected in the second round (No. 42 overall) by Nashville in the 2020 NHL Draft.
