Canadiens Centre Plekanec’s Possible Replacements

The Montreal Canadiens’ 2015-16 season could very well be the last season Tomas Plekanec is seen in a Habs jersey, as he will become a UFA after the regular season and possible Eastern Conference finals are over.

Plekanec is 32 years old. While he is still considered somewhat young, there is the question as to whether he can stay in good shape as well as keep generating points for the team. Despite going from a number 1 centre to a number 2 during the Eastern Conference finals this year, he’s a regular season gem. Not only can he is great at penalty killing, he also produces points throughout the season and plays tough defensive minutes. All in all, when it comes to the possibility of a Plekanec trade, it will be hard to get full value in return.

Canadiens Centre Plekanec’s Possible Replacements

5) Kael Mouillierat of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Age: 28

Mar 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Islanders center Kael Mouillierat (48) watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Experience: Played with the New York Islanders for part of the 2014-15 season where in 6 games he produced 1 goal and 1 assist. Most of his year was spent with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he produced 24 goals and 26 assists.

Skills: He’s a versatile player who can be at center or on the wing, as well as being able to produce points for his team. He also left quite an impression on Islanders coach Jack Capuano during his NHL debut, who said “I liked the way he played down low. He had a big block there in the third. He didn’t make any hope plays with the puck. He was simple.”

Overall, Mouillierat is a young player who hasn’t had enough time in the NHL to show off what he’s got. He’s been a 20-goal, 50-point player for the last two seasons with the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps, and his point history from the juniors to the minors shows that he’s able to get the job done and give his team the goals they need. Despite being signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mouillierat is a player the Habs should keep their eyes on as he’s young and does show a lot of potential.

4) Frans Nielsen of the New York Islanders

Age: 31

Feb 17, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Islanders forward Frans Nielsen (51) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Experience: Signed a 2 year contract with the New York Islanders in 2006, but didn’t play his first full season until 2008. During his 9 seasons with the Islanders, he’s collected 99 goals and 198 assists. His best season was during 2013-14, where he produced 25 goals and 33 assists.

Skills: He has exceptional speed and soft hands, and is able to create great scoring chances for his team. He also has a great passion for the game, a solid shot, and is an excellent 2 way player.

Nielsen is a great catch when it comes to finding a replacement for Plekanec. Like Plekanec, he can play both as a centre, a wing, and get on the defensive side as well as racking up the points for his team. His time with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers gave him the chance to improve his skill on the ice, which made him the hard-working player he is today. This is another player Bergevin should keep an eye on, as he plays well for his age.

3) David Backes of the St. Louis Blues

Age: 31

Apr 24, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) in the game against the Minnesota Wild during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Experience: Despite being sent to the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen, he was called up by the Blues several months into the 2006-07 season. After his first game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he registered his first NHL point/assist 44 seconds into the game, the Blues decided to keep him for the rest of the season, where he produced 10 goals and 13 assists overall.

Skills: He’s a solid centre who can produce points without effort for his team. He’s also a hard-working player who hits the puck hard, has the size, grit and scoring ability needed to play the power forward game, and has the ability to shut other offensive forwards.

While some may argue that Backes is not developing new skills, getting stronger or faster, and has trouble during the post-season like Plekanec, there is still time for improvement. He’s also been in the top 5 in Selke voting for the last 5 seasons, which isn’t a simple task. While he also shoots right, that doesn’t mean he can’t easily transition to left-wing (Jiri Hudler shoots left but plays on the right-wing. He’s doing just fine). Overall, he’s a good candidate for the Habs.

2) Anže Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings

Age: 28

Apr 6, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar (11) awaits the start of play against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Experience: Made his NHL debut with the Kings in 2006, where he registered 2 goals against the Anaheim Ducks. By the end of the first season, he had produced 20 goals and 41 assists. In his 9 seasons so far with the Kings, he has collected 218 goals and 392 assists overall.

Skills: He has an excellent understand of the game. He is a good positional player with a good shot and can generate offense well, as well as having smooth hands, being effective at face offs, and being a hard-working centre.

When you look at Kopitar’s stats, he’s one of the many dream centres a Habs fan could want. Not only is he solid during the regular season, but he also plays his best during the post-season, something that Plekanec has trouble with. With individual skills and production, being able to be just as good away from the puck, and being incredibly skilled 2 way offensive player, Bergevin should really think about investing money into this solid player.

1) Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes

Age: 30

Mar 8, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) and Carolina Hurricanes forward Elias Lindholm (16) talk against the Edmonton Oilers at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Experience: Started his career with the Hurricanes during the 2003-04 season, where he registered 11 goals and 20 assists overall. Due to the 2004-05 lockout, he headed to the former AHL team the Lowell Devils (formally known as the Lowell Lock Monsters) where he recorded 26 goals and 51 assists. He came back to the Hurricanes the next season where he produced 45 goals and 55 assists, and the rest is history.

Skills: He produces a lot of points during the regular season and is also capable of putting points on the board during the post-season. He can easily transition from centre to left-wing and is great on the power play, as well as being able to play tough defensive minutes and make big hits.

Ask any Habs fan now who they’d like to see play for the team and almost 80-90% of them will say “STAAL!” Why? Because Staal, despite many questioning his playing due to last season’s points as well as some blaming him for the Canes’ playoff drought, is still a top offensive player. He’s only played in the post-season twice, and you can’t put blame on one player for the team’s problems getting to the playoffs. On a team like the Habs, Staal would also be working with strong players and easily make the Eastern Conference Finals.

All players featured here have similar skills to what Plekanec brings to the Bell Centre, the only difference is that they may produce a bit more in the regular and post season. Not counting Mouillierat, these players are also able to be strong team leaders who may stay as alternate captains (or in Staal’s case, transition from “C” to “A”) if the Habs have a chance at picking them up during the Free Agency.

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The only issue with these players is the price. Staal’s salary is at $9.5M, while Kopitar, Backes, Nielsen, and Mouillierat’s salary sits between $575,000 to $7M. A possible price for top players like Staal or Kopitar could be a serviceable forward with a 1st and 2nd round draft pick but even then, it’s hard to pin point how much the Habs would need to give up in order to grab a solid centre.

As stated above, Plekanec is only 32 years old and is a regular season gem. He’s got a great set of skills which would make it hard to get full value in return for him. For all we know, he could sign an extended contract during pre-season or in-season and stay a few more years in his Canadiens sweater. With that said, it’s still good to take in the positive possibilities that could come with a Plekanec trade, although I know I’m still hoping number 14 will stay for a little while longer.

Who do you think would make a great replacement for Tomas Plekanec at centre? Do you think Plekanec should be traded at all? Let us know in the comments below!

Next: Habs Tomas Plekanec Pending Free-Agent at Crossroads

Canadiens Centre Plekanec’s Possible Replacements

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