The 20-year-old winger currently leads the Admirals in points (t-30) and assists (22) in his debut season with the club. Additionally, Evangelista currently leads all American League rookies in assists and is tied for third in points.
While there's plenty of natural talent powering his offensive productivity, Admirals General Manager Scott Nichol says Evangelista's success can also be largely attributed to Novak's veteran leadership.
"[Novak] came down [this season] with a great attitude and he really helped Luke," Nichol said. "The two of them read off each other very well, and so that kind of springboarded Luke and gave him the ability to spread his wings. And then Tommy came up [to Nashville] and both guys are doing really well because of it."
Novak, who started the 2022-23 campaign in the American League for his fourth consecutive year, received his first AHL All-Star nod after posting 26 points (11g-15a) through 25 contests - a team-high before his mid-December call up to Nashville.
The 25-year-old forward now boasts a career-high 11 points (4g-7a) through 19 NHL appearances with the Predators, and has played key minutes centering Nashville's second power-play unit.
"I think it's the next step in Tommy's maturation period," Nichol said. "He came down this year and we challenged him to be the best player on the ice… And I think he's done that. So when he was ready, and when he did get that call up, it was like, 'OK, I'm going to play the exact same way I did in Milwaukee, and I'm going to carry it on from here.'"
Of course, no one can forget Askarov, who's poised to join Evangelista in his first AHL All-Star appearance in the midst of his debut professional North American season.
The 20-year-old, right-catch netminder currently leads all American League rookies in wins (14), shutouts (t-2), minutes played (1523:53) and - likely directly related to his penchant for puck-handling - assists (4).
On Jan. 12, Askarov made his NHL debut with Nashville and posted a 31-save performance in one of the League's toughest buildings.
The confidence and showmanship Smashville saw from the young goalie that night will no doubt be on full display when Askarov hits the All-Star stage in Laval, Quebec.
"Everyone knows his flamboyancy and his showmanship," Nichol said. "So, I think they're very excited for him to be part of it. I'm not too sure what they'll have him [compete] in, but he'll be a star there, for sure."
The AHL All-Star Classic begins on Sunday, Feb. 5 with the 2023 Rona AHL All-Star Skills Competition before concluding with the 2023 Mise-o-jeu AHL All-Star Challenge on Monday, Feb. 6.
Updates on Evangelista and Askarov's All-Star Classic debuts can be followed through the
