This summer, Marc Bergevin signed Plekanec to a 1 year contract worth 3.5 millions has an insurance policy but 4 months later, Bergevin has realized that he no longer needs the said insurance policy.
Both Bergevin and Plekanec spoke to the medias in Brossard and it was clear from that talk that this situation has been reached mainly because things are going well up the middle this season for the Habs. Kotkaniemi's level has been a surprise for the organization, Philip Danault is doing really well pivoting a line with Gallagher and Tatar and as for Max Domi, he's exceeding all expectations as a centre man for his new team.
"The organization made a hockey decision regarding the future of Pleky. It was a tough decision to make. Tomas will always be a part of the Canadiens family." - Marc Bergevin#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 9, 2018
Plekanec made it clear that he wanted to retire as a Montreal Canadien and while he did not say that he was retiring, he stated that he may look for opportunities to play back home (in the Czech Republic). It was easy to hear the pain in Plekanec's voice and while he's not happy to walk away from the organization who drafted him but a true gentleman as always, he said that this was the best decision for the team and he understood that. He even said that watching the game from the press gallery on October 6, he wondered if the game wasn't just too fast for him.
"Pleky" might not have been everyone's cup of tea but he did fill many roles through the years with the Montreal Canadiens. He was once the number 1 centre of the team, scored 70 and 69 points in his most productive season but had now become more of a 3rd / 4th line and a penalty killing specialist. He was skilled to take face-off and more than happy to pass on this knowledge to young players.
Tomas Plekanec will have played 1001 games in the NHL, scoring 233 goals, 375 assists and 608 points that's good for 13th in all-time scoring for the Habs. Thank you for your contribution Pleky and for loving the CH as much as you did.
"I'm going to miss the guys. It's another family, coming here every morning. Now, it's gone. It's something I'm going to miss, for sure. I'm going to watch them and cheer for them." - Tomas Plekanec#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 9, 2018
#Habs Weber, out of respect, wouldn’t go into detail, saying “It’s an emotional time for him and myself and our team,… referring to Plekanec’s brief address to his teammates this morning. “It was difficult to be a part of, seeing him like that.…
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) November 9, 2018