Jun 22 Plekanec to Remain a Hab Until 2016

The Montreal Canadiens have been busy this last week attending to their roster. With the announcement that goaltender Jaroslav Halak was traded to St Louis, speculation arose as to whether the money potentially saved by the young netminder’s release would make way for the signing of future UFA Thomas Plekanec. The Habs answered that question today with a confirmation that they have locked down the diminutive centre for 6 years at 5M per season.

Plekanec had maintained all along that he wanted to stay in Montreal, calling the city his second home and noted that he has only played for the Canadiens during his career and would like to remain a Hab.

Reactions were mixed as many fans calling in to radio shows and throughout the webisphere lamented that 5 million was way too much to pay a player of Plekanec’s calibre citing his absence, at least offensively, during the playoffs, however something tells me, these same “experts” would be chastising the Canadiens organization had they let Plekanec walk to free agency, where it was speculated he would earn slightly more than what the habs are presently paying for his services.

The truth is, Plekanec, marked as the #1 free agent available by The Hockey News, was the best possible fit for the Canadiens as the likes of Patrick Marleau, Ilya Kovachuk and Olli Jokinen would be not willing, too expensive or just a plain bad fit for Montreal (yes, in that order).

While Plekanec doesn’t address the Habs dire need for the proverbial, elusive power forward they have been in search of since Stephane Richer, he is a good two-way player, instrumental in locking down the likes of Ovechkin, Malkin and Crosby during the recent playoff run and is coming off his best season, points-wise and can now play worry free for the next 6 seasons.

While the Canadiens did not (surprise, surprise) divulge any of the specific details, a no-trade clause was also negotiated, however it is not clear at this time when the clause kicks in. 

Let’s hope that this peace of mind now allows the self proclaimed “little girl” while going through a bad drought, now say “Hear me roar”.

 Read on for the Canadiens’ official press release.