Devils Sign Luke Evangelista to a 5-Year Contract Extension

The New Jersey Devils have wasted no time securing one of their newest additions for the long term, signing forward Luke Evangelista to a five-year contract extension worth $36.25 million, the team announced Tuesday night.

The deal carries an average annual value of $7.25 million and will begin during the 2027-28 season. Evangelista remains under his current contract for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign, which carries a $3 million cap hit.

New Jersey acquired Evangelista from the Nashville Predators on Sep.1 in a trade that sent a conditional 2028 first-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche and the Devils’ 2028 second-round pick.

Evangelista Coming Off Career Year

Evangelista enters his first season with New Jersey after establishing himself as an important offensive piece in Nashville. In 81 games during the 2025-26 season, the 24-year-old winger recorded 12 goals and 44 assists for 56 points, his best campaign yet.

The 56-point season marked a significant step forward for Evangelista, who was originally selected by Nashville in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Through 253 NHL games, he has recorded 44 goals and 98 assists for 142 points.

His continued offensive development was certainly a major factor in the Devils’ decision to secure him for the long term.

A Long-Term Investment

The extension also allows the Devils to avoid having Evangelista enter restricted free agency following the 2026-27 season. It is also a heavily front-loaded contract, with Evangelista scheduled to earn $9.7 million in 2027-28 and $8.26 million the following season before the annual salary decreases over the final three years.

For New Jersey, the extension represents another significant step in general manager Sunny Mehta’s efforts to shape the Devils’ roster for the long term. Evangelista now joins a forward group headlined by Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier, while newcomers such as Anthony Mantha add further depth and experience to the top six. By committing to Evangelista for the next five seasons, the Devils have secured another young offensive talent who can continue developing within the organization while becoming an increasingly important piece of the team’s future. His combination of youth, offensive upside and NHL experience gives New Jersey another player it can build around as Mehta continues to reshape the roster.

Now, Evangelista will have the 2026-27 season to establish himself in New Jersey before his new contract officially begins. After producing a career-high season in Nashville, the Devils will be hoping his upward trajectory continues in his new home.