Plekanec retires from NHL

Tomas Plekanec retired from the NHL as an active player Friday.

The 36-year-old center will be placed on unconditional waivers by the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday for the purpose of terminating his contract.
Plekanec had one goal in three games this season. He missed the past nine games because of a back injury.
"When we made the decision to bring Tomas back to Montreal, we had a lot of question marks at center," general manager Marc Bergevin said. "But with the progression of all of our centermen, and the direction we're taking with speed and youth, I owed it to him to explain. That's why we met, and the decision was made for a mutual separation. It's out of respect for Tomas, which is important for us.
"Tomas will always be a part of the Canadiens family."
Montreal has worked to shore up the center position since June 15, 2017. That day, Jonathan Drouin was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Max Domi, who plays center and left wing, was acquired in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes exactly one year later, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi was selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Plekanec ranks seventh in games played in Canadiens history, playing 984 of his 1,001 NHL games in 15 seasons with them. Montreal selected Plekanec, who was an alternate captain from 2010-18, in the third round (No. 71) of the 2001 NHL Draft.
"It's obviously hard, but I understand the decision," he said. "I've been around for long enough to know that these guys need to get the chance, and that's the way we discussed that.
"I always wanted to retire as a Montreal Canadien. It's something that I'm really proud of. I would have never expected that. I'm proud to have been part of this organization, and the decision is good for this team moving forward. I'm happy with what I accomplished here. I can leave happy and proud.
"I'm hoping they'll remember me as a guy that always gave 100 percent and gave everything for the team and the logo. That was always my way to play for this organization. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to play for the Cup, but I'm proud of the way I spent my time in Montreal."
Plekanec signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract July 1 with Montreal, which traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 25. He had two assists in 17 regular-season games with Toronto and four points (two goals, two assists) in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Well it's never, I guess, an easy way to exit, I guess, from the NHL. But at the same time I had a good conversation with him today, and one of the things that he told me was I was his first coach and I was his last coach," Montreal coach Claude Julien said. "So I'm pretty proud of having the opportunity to coach a guy who was extremely professional throughout his whole career, was a good team player, brought a lot to this organization. And we all remember him in his best years. Not only was he a good two-way centerman, he put up points and he also was extremely good on face-offs and in defensive responsibilities. So I didn't like coaching against him, I preferred coaching with him, so it's certainly a tough day for him. And at the same time, I kind of feel bad for what he's going through right now."
Plekanec, who has 608 points (233 goals, 375 assists) in the regular season and 53 points (18 goals, 35 assists) in 94 playoff games, played in his 1,000th NHL game Oct. 15 against the Detroit Red Wings and scored his only goal of the season.
"Obviously I've played with [Tomas] for a long time and it's, I don't know how to say this, definitely shocking and obviously I'm sure it's a bit of a disappointment for himself for it to come to an end," Canadiens goalie Carey Price said. "But I guess all things come to an end eventually. But he's been a great teammate to me for a long time and I appreciate all the support and help throughout the years."
Plekanec said he hopes to keep playing, perhaps in his native Czech Republic, but will not play in the NHL again.
"I want to see if there is anything interesting when I [go] back home," he said. "But I wanted to retire as a Montreal Canadien. For me, there was no other option than to go and play a couple of years back home."