Penguins, Sharks Showing Interest In Tomas Plekanec

The Penguins and Sharks have expressed an interest in Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reports (video link).

The 35-year-old has struggled offensively this season with just 20 points (5-15-20) in 55 games but is having a career year at the faceoff dot (51.9% success rate) and has been deployed in key defensive situations which is the type of role that buying teams would likely intend to use him in.

Pittsburgh’s desire to improve their third line center position has been well-known throughout the season, even with their earlier acquisition of Riley Sheahan.  Acquiring Plekanec would allow them to move the former Red Wing down to the fourth line while giving them someone to use against the top opposition forwards.  However, the Pens have very limited cap room at the moment – less than $1MM in full-season salary per CapFriendly which will present a challenge for GM Jim Rutherford.

As for the Sharks, they are without Joe Thornton for the foreseeable future so they have an opening to fill down the middle.  Kypreos notes that there is some question as to whether he will be able to return in time to play meaningful games down the stretch.  Accordingly, it’s not surprising to see San Jose have some interest in adding another center and unlike Pittsburgh, they have more than enough cap room to bring someone in.

Plekanec, who we profiled as a trade candidate last month, is in the final season of a two-year, $12MM contract and the Canadiens will likely need to retain a significant portion of that to help facilitate a move if they decide to move him.

However, it’s not a guarantee that he will be traded.  In the same segment, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted that Montreal may very well try to re-sign Plekanec who has only played for the Canadiens in his 14-year career.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.