The Nashville Predators and Luke Evangelista remain stuck in contract limbo, with no agreement in sight. Evangelista, 23, is a restricted free agent and has been training back home in Ontario while waiting for progress. The Predators had hoped to finalize a deal before camp began, but nearly two weeks and five preseason games later, the stalemate continues.
Why Has Luke Evangelista’s Contract Negotiation Hit a Wall?
NHL insider Frank Seravalli echoed the frustration around the situation on social media, pointing out that it’s already Day 13 of training camp and still no deal has been reached.
He questioned why Nashville hasn’t finalized terms with one of its few under-25 players, suggesting that a simple two-year, $3 million bridge contract should be enough to bring Evangelista back into camp.
Evangelista is coming off a season where he put up 10 goals and 22 assists in 68 games. The numbers weren’t flashy, but they showed steady growth and the potential to become a consistent producer.
Today is Day 13 of #NHL training camp. Can anyone explain why the #preds don’t have a deal done with Luke Evangelista? Does not compute.
Let’s shake hands on 2 years x $3 million and get one of Nashville’s few players under 25 in camp. 🤷♂️
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 30, 2025
Nashville extended him a qualifying offer in July to keep his rights through 2025-26, but negotiations have stalled over money. Reports suggest Evangelista’s camp is asking for just over $3 million a year on a two-year deal, while the Predators are closer to $2 million.
General manager Barry Trotz has kept details quiet but admitted the situation is frustrating. “Collectively, both sides are disappointed Luke is not signed and with our team,” he told The Tennessean on September 29, 2025, though he emphasized the organization is still optimistic and praised the work being done in camp by veterans and younger players alike.
Drafted 42nd overall in 2020, Evangelista has developed into a versatile middle-six forward who could realistically score 15–20 goals a season. His dip last year, including a 7.4% shooting rate and just two points per 60 minutes, reflected the team’s overall offensive struggles more than his individual shortcomings.
Nashville finished dead last in goals per game at 2.59, making Evangelista’s production issues part of a bigger picture.
Still, his absence is notable. Nashville doesn’t have a deep pipeline of young, NHL-ready wingers, and history shows they’ve let talent slip away before with Kevin Fiala and Eeli Tolvanen being prime examples. Evangelista has the kind of skill set they can’t afford to lose.
Evangelista’s Deadlock and Its Impact on Nashville
The standoff creates problems on both sides. For Evangelista, missing camp means valuable time lost skating with teammates, which could affect his readiness for opening night.
For the Predators, it’s another headache as they prepare for a season where secondary scoring is already a concern. The team has split its six preseason games so far, leaving more questions than answers.
While the gap in negotiations isn’t enormous by NHL standards, finding middle ground has been tricky. A two-year bridge deal at around $3 million per season seems like the obvious compromise, but neither side has budged.
Evangelista continues training privately, waiting for the call to rejoin the club.
The outcome of these talks could shape both his career and the Predators’ immediate future. If the two sides can strike a deal soon, Evangelista will finally get to settle in, focus on his game, and grow into the offensive role Nashville badly needs him to fill.