Just a few hours after the Boston Bruins acquired Rick Nash from the New York Rangers, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a splash on the trade market acquiring Tomas Plekanec from fellow Atlantic Division rival, the Montreal Canadiens.
BREAKING: The @MapleLeafs have acquired Tomas Plekanec and Kyle Baun from the @CanadiensMTL for Rinat Valiev, Kerby Rychel and a second round pick in the #2018NHLDraft.
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 25, 2018
MORE: https://t.co/DSJ1ZokEJY#TradeCentre #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/IF5PLWWGZu
The @MapleLeafs announced that the hockey club has acquired forwards Tomas Plekanec and Kyle Baun from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Rinat Valiev, Kerby Rychel and Toronto’s second round draft pick in 2018.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 25, 2018
Here’s some of the best reaction coming out of the hockey world.
BREAKING NEWS: Leafs acquire fwds Tomas Plekanec & Kyle Baun from Habs in exchange for Rinat Valiev, Kerby Rychel and TML 2018 2nd rd pick
— Trade Deadline Correspondent Cpl Matthews (@CplMatthews) February 25, 2018
Plekanec is one of the few players allowed to wear turtlenecks, as he was grandfathered in before NHL ruled players can't dress like dweebs
Everyone go buy a turtleneck, the Leafs just got plekanec
— Babsocks (@Babsocks) February 25, 2018
On the fence about this Tomas Plekanec trade. It all swings on if that stupid turtleneck was included in the deal. Lou better not let him wear that garbage or I’m gonna give myself another concussion
— Savage Matthews (@SavageAuston34) February 25, 2018
We a turtleneck team now. https://t.co/OdmOWGlA7u
— The Leafs Nation (@TLNdc) February 25, 2018
Everyone go buy a turtleneck, the Leafs just got plekanec
— Babsocks (@Babsocks) February 25, 2018
Plekanec has been with the Canadiens' organization since they drafted him 71st overall in 2001. End of an era.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 25, 2018
TRADE : Here's Tomas Plekanec with the @MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/7Auv63i3hl
— TradedNHLPortrait (@TradedNHLPlayer) February 25, 2018
Best wishes to Tomas Plekanec as he resumes his career with @MapleLeafs. I can't even imagine what he's going to look like in bleu-blanc-rouge without the rouge.
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) February 25, 2018
Digging for gold here...
— Active Stick (@oak_leafs) February 25, 2018
Since 15/16 Tomas Plekanec has more even strength assists than Eberle, Bergeron, Bozak, Brassard, Eichel, Duchene and Kadri.
-"Plekanec sucks. Take anything , even a 7th anything to get him out"
— Me (@gohabsgo999) February 25, 2018
- "Only a 2nd and a couple prospects? Fire Bergevin!!!"#Habs
Plekanec and Grabner trades = the latest reminders that “Team X would never trade with its divisional rival” is and has always been a silly myth.
— Matt Larkin (@THNMattLarkin) February 25, 2018
Plekanec learns he's been dealt to the #Leafs.. #TMLtalk #TradeCentre pic.twitter.com/nf1odqGGps
— Blue & White Blood (@AustonPowers34) February 25, 2018
Plekanec better not wear that fuckin turtleneck
— Chemmy (@felixpotvin) February 25, 2018
Plekanec wore #14 with the Habs. That will have to change, unless Dave Keon is in a really good mood.
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) February 25, 2018
Rick Nash has 4 more points than Tomas Plekanec this year
— Still Our Water Bottle (@Lonny_Bohonos) February 25, 2018
981 games.
— Nik - #SHALIEVE 🦁 (@NikkF07) February 25, 2018
The man never bitched about any role he was put in. Offensive. Shutdown role. Always put the team first . It was the right call, but I will always have love for Pleks.
Thank you Tomas Plekanec, and thank you for all the turtlenecks #ThankYouPleky
Tomas Plekanec? I'm officially on #TeamTurtleneck. #TMLTalk
— Scott MacArthur (@ScottyMacThinks) February 25, 2018
TOMAS PLEKANEC TO TORONTO! NATIVE OF KLADNO, CZECH REPUBLIC ONCE WORE A TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS JERSEY IN GRADE 3 PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS AND THATS WHY I THINK THIS TRADE TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN!
— Pierre McGuire (@MobilePierre) February 25, 2018
There we go ..#Habs transact with #Leafs ..receive 22 year-old Russian D-Man Rinat Valiev, and 23 year-old Canadian LW Rychel plus a 2nd round pick in 2018 in exchange for our Tomas Plekanec and Kyle Baun ..GOOD LUCK & LOVE YOU ALWAYS Pleks! pic.twitter.com/ifn2ZkBzrD
— HabsHappy🏒JeSuisCH (@HabsHappy) February 25, 2018
Tomas Plekanec's #Habs career ends as follows (rank in franchise history):
— Heather Engel (@engelheather) February 25, 2018
• 981 games played (7th)
• 232 goals (17th)
• 373 assists (13th)
• 605 points (13th)
The #Leafs just got a whole lot more handsome.#Plekanec #NHLTradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/MDtt8mh6Fa
— Matthew Cauz (@mcauz56) February 25, 2018
Leivo-Plekanec-Kapanen is the best fourth line in the league.
— Nick DeSouza (@NickDeSouza_) February 25, 2018
Tomas Plekanec becoming a Maple Leaf after the Matthews injury isn’t surprising. Not having to give up anything worth lamenting while having his salary retained is even better.
— Ari Shapiro (@ari_shapiro) February 25, 2018
Plekanec to the #Leafs sort of makes sense (Toronto only gives up two meh prospects and a 2nd rounder), considering that Babcock wasn't high on Dominic Moore in the 4th C spot.
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) February 25, 2018
Trading for Plekanec is a repeat of what the #Leafs did last deadline adding a veteran center in Brian Boyle. Once Matthews comes back, it likely costs Dominic Moore his job.
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) February 25, 2018
Plekanec to #Leafs. Expected Goals exceeded actual with #Habs. https://t.co/lnmeKNano1 #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/8lQcb6Wizm
— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) February 25, 2018
Tomas Plekanec leaves Montreal having played 7th most games for the franchise. More than Rocket Richard, Guy Lafleur and Yvan Cournoyer, among others pic.twitter.com/MIPTS0jHQn
— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) February 25, 2018
Why do people care if other fans are showing appreciation towards Tomas Plekanec?
— Nik - #SHALIEVE 🦁 (@NikkF07) February 25, 2018
Yes, given the circumstances it's best to trade him,it's smart business.
Doesn't mean you can't respect his 981 games as a HAB, his longevity, and his team 1st approach with any role he was given
Pure speculation at this point but i wonder if trading with Toronto was made a priority by Bergevin so Plekanec could be closer to his family. If so, class move. #Habs
— John (@TheEagleDares) February 25, 2018
Seeing plekanec in a leaf uniform is going to make me sick ....
— Jeff F🚨Habs: 23-29-9 (@Newfiehabber82) February 25, 2018
Tomas Plekanec (traded to Leafs) has been used defensively, still scores and drives play to match his second-line icetime, takes penalties. pic.twitter.com/zD0rJADTzt
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) February 25, 2018
Quick take on MTL-TOR trade: Nice return for MTL on a rental depth C and good pick up by TOR because Plekanec is more than a fourth-line centre who can do many things that might please the head coach. Plekanec can PK, play up and down the lineup.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 25, 2018
So, Leaf fans, how do you feel about adding Plekanec to your lineup?
