The two-year contract extension for forward Tomas Plekanec with the Montreal Canadiens, announced Friday, seems as though it's all about compromise. With their No. 1 center entering the final year of his deal and hovering in a performance space somewhere below the likes of Steven Stamkos and Anze Kopitar, the Habs did what they had to do to ensure that Plekanec remained with the team for the foreseeable future. And considering Plekanec has gotten out to a red-hot start, potting four goals through five games of the 2015-16 NHL season, it makes sense that they'd move to lock him up in whatever manner possible.
Shortly after the extension was announced by the team, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported that the deal carries an AAV of $6 million - $7 million the first season and $5 million the second. Considering Plekanec was making an average of $5 million on his last deal, it seems to be about in line with his career earning potential. The deal will carry him through the 2017-18 season.
While fans have been wringing their hands over stars like Stamkos and Kopitar, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this week that the soon-to-be 33-year-old Czech and the Habs front office both seemed very "chill" about his contract status. Plekanec isn't a high-end No. 1 center by any means, but he's a strong two-way player who managed 26 goals and 60 points for a Canadiens team that seemed much improved - if a bit too improved - last year.
Considering his age, Plekanec is likely to move into a No. 2 role in the near future, especially after the team moved promising young forward Alex Galchenyuk back to center after a season spent on the wing. And while $6 million seems like a lot, Plekanec's productive history and strong veteran presence is no doubt worth the cap space.
