Yep....Pleky gone,,,with the Leafs.
Surprisingly good trade by Marc Bergevin. All the players he obtained plus that future second-round pick will help & likely play for the habs next season. Bergevin could also re-sign Plekanec next season if he wants to bring him back.
Toronto may have paid a bit too much but the players they gave up never had a future in Toronto since the Leafs are stocked up in depth at most of their positions. By adding Plekanec they're adding depth at centre plus getting a player that they can insert anywhere in their lineup, a player who is very good on faceoffs and great at penalty-killing. He can centre the 3rd or 4th lines and he's a much-needed veteran on this still very young team.
My guess is that he's a rental and won't be re-signed with the likes of Freddie Gauthier waiting in the wings. The trade reminds me of last season's Brian Boyle acquisition at the deadline. But who knows...maybe they plan on re-signing him which would explain why they were willing to slightly overpay for him. Unless it was also to blow some other playoff rival from obtaining him.
It's expected that the Leafs will make a play for Ryan McDonagh. But i'm not sure i'd be willing to pay the price the Rangers are asking for him. Maybe wait until the final minutes of the deadline to make a deal, which is what Marc Bergevin did a few years ago when he acquired Thomas Vanek from the Islanders for next-to-nothing?