Leafs acquire Plekanec

[CarltonTheBear]

Plekanec arrived in Tampa today freshly shaved. RIP goatee.

 

[herman]

https://theathletic.com/253811/2018/02/26/basu-an-ode-to-tomas-plekanec/

Perspective from the other side:

[The] Plekanec moment that stands out to me above everything else I?ve seen him do was not a goal. It was not an important game. It was a faceoff.

[...]

The Canadiens were hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 23, 2013. Sidney Crosby was on his way to a 104-point season, the last time he topped the 100-point mark in a season and the third-most productive season of his career.

But that night, for that one, single night, Plekanec drove him insane.

The faceoff came immediately after James Neal had scored with just under three minutes left in regulation to pull the Penguins within a goal, down 3-2. It was the 17th of 19 times Crosby would face Plekanec in the faceoff circle that night, losing 14 of those draws. Plekanec was in his face all night and drove Crosby to such a point of distraction that despite the fact his team had just pulled to within a goal of tying the game, his focus was on Plekanec.

As they lined up at centre ice and Plekanec dropped into his faceoff stance, Crosby was in his ear, giving it to him. And Plekanec just stood there, motionless, taking it. And loving it.

?I didn't say anything, he was talking all the time,? Plekanec said after the Canadiens won the game. ?I was just listening. I?m a good listener.?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Historically Plekanec has apparently done very well going head-to-head against his countryman David Krejci. I'm not sure I necessarily want him getting that much ice-time, especially if it comes at the expense of Matthews or Kadri, but it's a nice card to play if needed.

 

[herman]

What happened to all that Glendening chatter?  ;D

Historically Plekanec has apparently done very well going head-to-head against his countryman David Krejci. I'm not sure I necessarily want him getting that much ice-time, especially if it comes at the expense of Matthews or Kadri, but it's a nice card to play if needed.

I think they'll get Bozak minutes (+2 to 4), with polar opposite zone start usage.

I'm assuming the matchup scenarios will be:
Strong Opposing Line in our OZ: Kadri or Matthews
Strong Opposing line in our DZ: Plekanec or Kadri
Weak Opposing line in our OZ: Matthews or Bozak
Weak Opposing line in our DZ: anyone but Bozak

In any case, it means Kadri or Matthews are spared hard DZ draws whenever it's not an icing.

Moore has been serviceable, especially once they get into the OZ. Unfortunately, he's a bit of a turnover machine in the DZ, which is like the biggest no-no in Babcock's books (see Leivo, Holland, Corrado), and only tolerable if you're also posting 25+ pts (JvR, Bozak).

 

[Guilt Trip]

Historically Plekanec has apparently done very well going head-to-head against his countryman David Krejci. I'm not sure I necessarily want him getting that much ice-time, especially if it comes at the expense of Matthews or Kadri, but it's a nice card to play if needed.

And Marchand is a fan of his too..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMYY2ODUisQ

 

[Nik]

https://twitter.com/koshtorontosun/status/968160738899447810

So facial hair is a no go for Lamoriello but he'll let players dress like got dang hippie weirdos?

 

[cabber24]

Meh... don't like Plekanec and his stupid turtle neck. A second round pick for a turtle neck?

 

[Bullfrog]

So facial hair is a no go for Lamoriello but he'll let players dress like got dang hippie weirdos?

Telling grown men what to do with their facial hair is just so bizarre.

 

[YYZ]

Seeing Plekanec skating around in the blue and white practice uni is weird.  Seeing him in full blue and white tonight is going to be even weirder.  I can only imagine how he feels. 

 

[rjd]

Seeing Plekanec skating around in the blue and white practice uni is weird.  Seeing him in full blue and white tonight is going to be even weirder.  I can only imagine how he feels.

I wonder if he lines Komarov up for a hit at some point and then remembers at the last second that he isn't supposed to do that any more?