An excerpt from The Hockey News article by Sam McCaig

MONTREAL’S GOAL: NO. 1 CENTER, PLEASE

Soon-to-be 26-year-old Tomas Plekanec, Montreal’s anticipated first-line pivot, is coming off consecutive 20-goal campaigns (including 29 last year). And now he’s having a fine early fall, with three goals and five points in three games. So what does it mean? Is it a false positive, or a sign of more good things to come?

Considering his three-season points trajectory of 29 to 47 to 69, you have to figure Plekanec’s production will continue. Who knows, maybe he’ll keep it going and take a run at 80 points. The Habs need Plekanec to be a No. 1 center, so he’ll get every opportunity – hello, ice time – to step up.