Canadiens, Tomas Plekanec Avoid Arbitration and Agree on 1 Year Deal
The Best case scenario for both sides has presented itself today as the Montreal Canadiens announce that forward Tomas Plekanec has agreed to a one year term with the team.
Bob Gainey has been quoted in the past as saying that once one goes to arbitration, regardless of which side wins, there is always a remnant of ill will or misgivings after what may have transpired while in the process. If this is the case, then both sides have spared themselves this situation and both can now look forward to the 2009-10 season.
A one year deal will allow both sides to re-evaluate the individual's and the team's performance at season's end and before they decide to either go sepparate ways or reunite for a longer run, going forward.
Barring any unforeseen changes to the roster, Plekanec will most likely centre the 2nd line and be matched up with the likes of Mike Cammilleri and Andrei Kostitsyn.
Please read on for the official Habs press release.
Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today the signing of forward Tomas Plekanec to a one-year contract (2009-10). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Plekanec elected for salary arbitration on July 5. His hearing was scheduled for July 30.
Plekanec, 26, completed in 2008-09 his fifth season with the Canadiens. The centreman posted his third consecutive 20-goal campaign, registered 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists), and fired 202 shots on goal in 80 games. He was one of only three Canadiens players not to miss a game with an injury in 2008-09.
Since 2003-04, Plekanec amassed 184 points (78 goals, 106 assists) with 637 shots on goal and a plus-20 rating in 311 regular-season games. The 5-11, 197-pound forward also scored 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) and registered 52 shots on goal in 21 career NHL playoff contests.
A native of a Kladno, Czech Republic, Plekanec represented his country at the World Hockey Championship on three occasions (2006, 2007, 2009) and won a gold medal at the 2001 World Junior Championship, in Russia.
Plekanec was selected in the third round, 71st overall, by the Canadiens at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
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