The Montreal Canadiens and Tomas Plekanec have mutually agreed to terminate his contract releasing him to pursue a career in his country of birth, as per media people close to the team.
The ceremony that the #Habs put together for Plekanec a few weeks ago will be the lasting memory I have of Pleky. It was perfect. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/xyPEig1f4h
— John (@TheEagleDares) November 9, 2018
Plekanec was an ideal player for us Canadiens fans. He always worked hard, had great seasons and huge moments representing the Habs with class and always providing a good example to all that came and went from the organization over his time with the club.
An emotional #Habs Plekanec says, “I always wanted to retire as a Montreal Canadien.…
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) November 9, 2018
He said he spoke to his teammates around 10:30 this morning and that it was harder to do than he thought it would be.
Tomas has been sidelined with a back injury and perhaps this is almost a forced retirement for the longtime center, but the rumblings are out there that he hoped to return to his original home and play out his last days as a pro hockey player there. I can't blame him at this point in his life and career as the competition will be a bit less intense and he is revered as a legend back in his mother land. Kudo to Plekanec and the Canadiens for getting that 1000th game and ceremony in for the Habs great.
The #Habs have announced that Tomas Plekanec will be placed on unconditional waivers for purpose of mutual contract termination.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) November 9, 2018
He's currently signed to a 1yr contract with a salary of $2.25M and $1.25M in performance bonuses (none of which were earned)https://t.co/LLSS6Ut1Jy https://t.co/CYGLUUAIRc
Pleky finishes with 233 goals and 375 assists for a total of 608 points in 1001 games, 984 of those games with the Canadiens. He places 7th on the Canadiens all time games played list, 13th in all time points, 17th in all time goals, 13th in all time assists, 15th in Game Winning Goals, and 2nd in Shorthanded goals with 20.
"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
Plekanec truly is a all time great Montreal Canadiens player. I thank him for all the fun and entertainment (and for being my mothers favorite player all these years) and I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. If it's in another league I hope he wins a championship and if it's retirement then I hope he enjoys all the tennis I'm sure he's going to play.
Thanks for everything Tomas Plekanec!
It wouldn't be a celebration for Tomas Plekanec without the big bosses wearing some turtlenecks. 😅
— NHL (@NHL) October 18, 2018
More: https://t.co/cmZjkwdrSq pic.twitter.com/GBrZvNwBmi