Tomas Plekanec News

The Canadiens announced that they have come to a “mutual agreement” with Plekanec to terminate his contract. Plekanec has played in just three of the Canadiens first 16 games this season, but did get to career game No.1000 with the team he spent 984 of the 1001 career games with. This could be the end of the line for Plekanec, who has 233 goals and 375 assists (608 points) in his 15 seasons.

Plekanec has recorded one goal while averaging just 10:52 TOI/GM in three games this season, but will come out of the lineup on Saturday due to a lower-back ailment. Andrew Shaw may return from an illness in Plekanec’s spot on the fourth line.

Plekanec, who signed back with the Canadiens this summer will sit in the season opener vs. the Maple Leafs. With Plekanec out, the Canadiens will go with Phillip Danault, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Max Domi and Matthew Peca down the middle.

Plekanec was a healthy scratch last night but will return to the Maple Leafs lineup tonight vs. the Jets. Plekanec has picked up just one assist in 13 games since joining the Maple Leafs before the trade deadline.

Plekanec was primarily brought in to replace Dominic Moore on the Maple Leafs’ fourth line, but he is also a player that can move up and down the lineup, especially while Auston Matthews is out. The 35-year-old has played against the Maple Leafs in Montreal for 13 seasons and comes to Toronto with six goals and 18 assists (24 points) in 60 games this year.

Plekanec has been sidelined for the last three games, but will return to the Canadiens’ lineup tonight vs. Chicago. Plekanec has had a tough year, having registered just 24 points (7G / 17A) in 66 games.

Plekanec missed the Canadiens’ morning skate and will be a game-time decision tonight vs. the Jets. The Canadiens are banged up, so add Plekanec to a lengthy list. He has one goal and one assist in his last two games and 18 points (4G / 14A) in 41 games this season.

Plekanec has four goal in five games so far this season and is now locked up for another two years. The most important part of this contract extension, is that it ends the same season as Carey Price’s contract, giving the Habs a lot of flexibility to resign Price.

Plekanec replaced Alex Galchenyuk on the Canadiens’ top-line in Monday’s practice. Plekanec has two goals and two assists in his last eight games and 26 points (11G / 15A) in 41 games this season. He receives a nice boost in fantasy value while he is playing alongside Max Pacioretty.

Plekanec now has 15 points in 19 games this season.

Plekanec missed Saturday's game due to personal reasons, but will be back at practice tomorrow which suggests he will be ready to go on Tuesday.

This comes as no surprise as Plekanec did not travel with the team to Florida, but flew back to Montreal in stead. He is attending to a family matter, which will allow tough-guy George Parros to dress in his place. Expect Danny Briere to bump up to the second line with Plekanec sidelined.