Hockey fans react to rare trade between Maple Leafs and Canadiens

Feb 26 2018, 1:47 pm

Trades between arch-rivals don’t happen very often.

So when the Montreal Canadiens traded Tomas Plekanec to the Toronto Maple Leafs, of all teams, it raised a few eyebrows.

The deal, which also sent minor league forward Kyle Baun to the Leafs, netted the Habs Kerby Rychel, Rinat Valiev, and a second round draft pick in return. It was the first trade between Montreal and Toronto since the Mikhail Grabovski trade nearly 10 years ago.

Despite the fact that a Plekanec trade was inevitable, Canadiens fans were obviously sad to see him go. The 35-year-old had played all 981 of his NHL games in a Montreal uniform.

“It’s 15 years of my life,” said Plekanec. “It’s my home. My kids go to school here. They speak French. Their first language is French. But, I’m going to a team that’s going to be in the playoffs and has a chance to play for a Stanley Cup. It’s awesome.”

And Leafs fans? Well, they were excited to add another player for a playoff push. They were also oddly fixated on Plekanec’s signature turtleneck.

Here’s a selection of our favourite reactions:

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