In the world of NHL trades, some deals fade quietly into the background, while others take on a life of their own, evolving in ways no one could have ever predicted.

Hockey fans love to trace these intricate webs of transactions—so-called “trade trees”—that stretch across seasons, teams, and even generations of players. But every once in a while, a seemingly routine trade blossoms into something truly extraordinary, leaving fans and analysts alike stunned by its ultimate impact.

Recently, sharp-eyed followers of the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs uncovered a trade tree that begins with a familiar name—Tomas Plekanec—and ends with a shocking twist that no one saw coming.

How did a short-term rental for a veteran center transform into one of the league’s most exciting young prospects? What hidden connections and unexpected moves paved the way for this unlikely outcome?

In this article, we’ll unravel the full story behind the Canadiens-Leafs trade for Tomas Plekanec, exploring each branch and revealing how a single transaction quietly shaped the future of both franchises.

The ending, as you’ll see, is as surprising as it is fascinating—and it all started with a deal that seemed almost forgettable at the time.

Photo of Lane Hutson, Canadiens and Leafs logos

Photo credit: HabsFanatics NHL

The trade tree between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs for Tomas Plekanec is very fascinating.

It’s the kind of exercise hockey fans always enjoy.

This time, sharp-eyed observers have published a new “trade tree” from the deal between the Habs and the Leafs several years ago, which indeed involved Tomas Plekanec.

It’s particularly surprising.

Before we get to this tree, let’s recall our most recent article about the Jaroslav Halak trade tree, following the deal between the Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues in 2010.

Yes, thanks to a series of trades, Halak has become Laine (today) for the Canadiens.

Anyway, let’s move on to Plekanec.

A trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 17 games of Tomas Plekanec becomes Lane Hutson for the Montreal Canadiens

Here’s the tree in question:

1- The Canadiens trade Tomas Plekanec to the Toronto Maple Leafs in February 2018 in exchange for Kerby Rychel, Rinat Valiev, and a 2018 2nd-round pick (Plekanec plays 17 regular-season games with the Leafs and then immediately re-signs with the Habs).

2- The Canadiens trade one asset acquired from the Leafs and Rinat Valiev (plus Matt Taormina) to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Brett Kulak.

3- The Canadiens trade Brett Kulak to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for William Lagesson, a 2024 7th-round pick, and a 2022 2nd-round pick.

4- That 2022 2nd-round pick acquired from the Edmonton Oilers becomes the 62nd overall pick – and yes, with that selection, the Montreal Canadiens select none other than Lane Hutson.

The full tree is right here: