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As soon as the New Jersey Devils acquired Luke Evangelista, the clock started ticking on locking him down to the best bargain possible under the current CBA. With under two weeks left, will the Devils extend their new forward? I laid out exactly why Sunny Mehta should try to get an extension done before September 15. Also in the links, why the Evangelista acquisition itself could have a bigger ripple effect across the roster than most people are talking about. Elsewhere, the Blues hand out the “C,” the remaining free-agent list gets shorter, Evander Kane drama, and more. Devils Trade Rumors & News New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils did not spend a first-round pick just so Luke Evangelista could test restricted free agency next summer—here’s why Mehta needs to lock him up before September 15 while eight-year deals are still on the table. The Evangelista trade looks even stronger once you dig into the possession numbers and the trickle-down depth it creates for the rest of the forward group—Daniel Amoia has the full breakdown on why this move could matter more than the box score suggests. After the top-7 Devils prospects, here are the next five who have a chance to make the NHL. 📺 Devils Rink Report: The latest episode is still the Sunny Mehta LIVE sit-down on the summer, Jack Hughes, the roster additions, and what this group is actually built to be. Tune in! Please be sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on those notifications for when we go LIVE every Friday! For podcast listeners, tune into Devils Rink Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. ALSO! Devils Rink Report is on TikTok now — Follow us here. Sign up for the New Jersey Hockey Now newsletter for daily Devils intel straight to your inbox. NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now Forever Blueshirts: New York Rangers prospect Malcolm Spence is headed for a big stage this winter when Michigan takes on Wisconsin outdoors at Lambeau Field—more on the showcase opportunity for the high-upside forward. NHL.com: Robert Thomas is the new face of the St. Louis Blues. The club named the veteran center the 25th captain in franchise history, succeeding Brayden Schenn. Vladimir Tarasenko still headlines the shrinking list of remaining unrestricted free agents as training camps draw closer. Boston Hockey Now: JJ Peterka is settling into Boston after the draft-day trade and says the fit already feels right—hear what the new Bruins forward is saying about the move and what comes next. San Jose Hockey Now: On Sheng Peng’s podcast a few days ago, former San Jose Sharks defenseman Curtis Gabriel torched Evander Kane, going public with his feelings and then sending a heads-up to Kane on social media that he did so. Then it escalated. Patrick Marleau’s wife jumped into the middle of the situation with a pretty negative story and criticism. Kane responded to both.