Maple Leafs acquire Plekanec from Canadiens for 2nd-round pick

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired veteran center Tomas Plekanec and AHLer Kyle Baun from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2018 second-round pick, forward Kerby Rychel, and defenseman Rinat Valiev, the team announced Sunday.

The Canadiens will retain 50 percent of Plekanec's $6-million cap hit as a part of the deal, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

Plekanec has appeared in 60 games with the Canadiens this season, registering 24 points. The 35-year-old provides the Maple Leafs with bolstered depth down the middle, and his 87 games of postseason experience - along with his 52.6 faceoff percentage - should help Toronto down the stretch. It should be noted Toronto also owns San Jose's 2018 second-round pick.

As for the package heading Montreal's way, the Canadiens now have four second-round picks in the upcoming draft. Rychel, 23, has 30 points with the Marlies this season, while Valiev, 22, has recorded 15 of his own in 40 contests.

Baun, the grandson of former Maple Leafs defenseman Bobby, has 16 points in 54 with Laval this season.

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