Canadiens acquire defenseman Rinat Valiev, forward Kerby Rychel and the Maple Leafs’ own second round pick in 2018 from Toronto, in return for forward Tomas Plekanec and forward Kyle Baun.

More details to come...

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 25, 2018

The end of the Plekanec era arrived as we all expected it would…. For now anyways.

The Canadiens have moved T Plekanec and K Baun to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Toronto’s 2018 2nd Round Pick, Kerby Rychel, and Rinat Valiev.

The 2nd round pick would have been enough, especially considering the Leafs are heading into the stretch run with their best players shoulder banged up. The pick could be 58th overall as of today so we can cheer for the Leafs to drop a bit for the remainder of the season, as if we needed an excuse, in hopes the pick drops even lower.

981 matchs joués (7e dans l'histoire des Canadiens), 232 buts, 605 points et sept saisons de 20 buts ou plus. Merci, Pleky! Bonne chance à Toronto.

981 games played (7th in Habs history), 232 goals, 605 pts, and seven 20-plus goal seasons. Thank you, Pleky! Good luck in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/kiew58Ruxo

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 25, 2018

The Habs also bring in LW’er Rychel who had a very good Junior career in the OHL and pretty decent AHL numbers (112 pts in 161 games, 0.7 PPG) before this last season which must be a disappointment for the big Forward (6’1”, 213 lbs). This year Rychel only has 10 G and 20 A in 55 games (0.55 PPG) and is likely he wasn’t going to join the Leafs anytime soon.

The Leafs perceived depth could be Montreal’s gain as Rychel could be a good bottom 6 winger with size if he could add to his speed.

The second player Montreal acquired is 22 year old D Rinat Valiev who stands 6’02” and weighs 208 lbs. Valiev doesn’t look to be a offensive defenseman, but he does have 5 G and 15 A in 40 games with the Toronto Marlies. He produced at a similar pace last season in the AHL, but trended up each of his last 3 AHL seasons, including this one. I won’t act to know much about Valiev so he will be added to all our study lists.

The first move of likely 3-4 was a good deal for Bergevin. Solid start to the deadline that give Montreal 4 2nd round picks this summer and outside the 1st round is typically where Timmins has made his money.

Plekanec will be a fantastic #4 C for the Leafs and really help their PK, but Plekanec has lost most offensive ability at this point (at the NHL level). Plekanec was always a player that held the puck too long but still put up points, now he holds and avoids gritty areas like crazy. If someone wanted his help, then I’m glad he will get another shot to make something happen.

There is speculation Plekanec may return to MTL in the summer for a bottom 6 role, but I suspect it will be at drastically reduced pay.

Tomas Plekanec a apprécié chaque seconde de son passage avec les Canadiens.

Tomas Plekanec enjoyed every second of his time with the Canadiens. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/1mUde91Qlm

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 25, 2018

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