Report: Predators’ Luke Evangelista won’t attend training camp without contract

Luke Evangelista will not be in attendance as Nashville Predators‘ training camp opens this week, reports The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta.

The decision comes as Evangelista remains a restricted free agent and has not signed a new contract for the coming season. Pagnotta adds that a gap remains between the two sides, and that the Predators may be seeking to sign Evangelista to a long-term pact.

Evangelista became a restricted free agent this offseason as his three-year, entry-level contract expired.

Making 68 appearances with the Predators in 2024-25, Evangelista tallied 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points coupled with 22 penalty minutes and a minus-two rating. Originally chosen by the Predators in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, the 23-year-old Toronto native has since skated in part of three seasons with the club where through 172 total appearances he has notched 33 goals and 53 assists for 86 points.

Evangelista has also spent part of two seasons in the AHL, splitting time between the Chicago Wolves and the Predators’ farm club, the Milwaukee Admirals. Evangelista last skated with the Admirals during the 2022-23 season, putting up 41 points counting nine goals and 32 assists through 49 games.

A graduate of the OHL’s London Knights, Evangelista spent three seasons in the junior circuit, highlighted by the 2021-22 season where through 62 appearances he headlined the Knights with 111 points counting 55 goals and 56 assists coming in 62 games. For his efforts, Evangelista was recognized as part of the OHL Second All-Star Team.

The Predators closed out the 2024-25 season with a 30-44-8 record and 68 points, marking the second time in the past three years in which the club has failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Predators open the 2025-26 season on October 9 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.