Some Montreal Canadiens fans are quick to conclude that Jake Evans is on his last miles with the Habs, after all, his contract is expiring at the end of the season and there are youngsters knocking on the big club's door right? That is correct, there are players chomping at the bit to get a full time gig in the league, but do they have what it takes to fill Evans' skates?

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At the end of last season, Evans had won 52.1% of his faceoffs, while that may not seem like all that much, it is if you compare with other players. Kirby Dach's career success rate stands at 35.1%, Nick Suzuki's is at 48.6% and Christian Dvorak is at 52.6%.

Like it or not, hockey is not only about scoring goals, it's a possession game. You can't score if you don't have the puck and you can get the puck much quicker if you win the faceoff. Furthermore, winning the draw in your own zone is a pivotal part of a good defensive game.

Related: Canadiens: What to Expect From Jake Evans

According to Dobber Frozen tool, as of before last night's tilt, in four games this season, Evans has taken a total of 48 faceoffs, 26 of which were in the defensive zone. 54 % of his duels were taken near his own goaltender, losing there can be highly detrimental and his contribution in that department is absolutely primordial. In last night's game he led the team with a 69% success rate at the faceoff dot.

It's all well and good to want the likes of Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen to take the next step, but are they ready? You've got to walk before you can run, and I bet Kent Hughes is keeping a keen eye on Evans, a player that, as Martin St-Louis often suggest players need to do, has taken the time to look at the team and wonder what he could bring to it that others aren't bringing.

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