Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Tomas Plekanec from the Montreal Canadiens

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired 35-year-old center Tomas Plekanec from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2018, Kerby Rychel and Rinat Valiev.

Also coming to the Leafs in the deal to make the contracts line up is Laval Rocket winger Kyle Baun. The Habs will retain 50% of the remainder of Plekanec’s $6 million salary.

A 35-year-old pending UFA, Plekanec has posted 24 points in 60 games this season while playing over 16 minutes a night, including 2:11/game shorthanded; he sits third among Montreal forwards in even strength ice time, behind only Max Pacioretty and Jonathan Drouin, and first among forwards in shorthanded ice time per game. He’s primarily…