Trade completed between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs five years ago: that's what allowed the addition of the young Lane Hutson

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MarcO
August 2, 2023 (6:18 PM)

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One could say without much error that Tomas Plekanec has been one of the best center players for the Canadiens in the last 20 years.

As good on the offense as he was on defense, the former number 14 left his mark as he ranks 13th among the team's all-time scorers with 606 points, behind Mats Naslund and ahead of Dickie Moore.

But did you know that Plekanec's time in Montreal is still felt today?

As reported by the website Danslescoulisses.com, Marc Bergevin had sent his center player to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2018 trade deadline. In return, the Canadiens obtained a second-round pick (who became Jacob Olofsson), Kerby Rychel, and Rinat Valiev.

So far, nothing spectacular, but that's where it gets interesting.

In the fall of 2018, Valiev packed his bags for Calgary along with Matt Taormina to get the services of a certain Brett Kulak.

Kulak provided great service to the Canadiens and at the 2022 trade deadline, it was Kent Hughes' turn to add his touch.

Newly arrived as the Canadiens' GM, he had sent Kulak to Edmonton in return for defenseman William Lagesson and a second-round pick. This second-round pick became one of the best prospects in the organization, a certain Lane Hutson.

While some experts see him as the future quarterback on the Canadiens' defense, Hutson had a dream season with Boston University in the NCAA and could become a leading defenseman along with David Reinbacher.

Of course, it was difficult five years ago to predict how the Tomas Plekanec trade would turn out, but let's say it looks a lot better in 2023 than it did in 2018.