The Montreal Canadiens and centre Tomas Plekanec have mutually broken off contract talks for the time being as Plekanec does not want the negotiations to be a distraction during the Canadiens run for the postseason.
Plekanec's agent, Rick Curran, told TSN's sister station in Quebec RDS that relations between the two sides remain cordial.
"(GM) Pierre Gauthier and I have discussed Tomas' situation a number of times and we are going in the right direction," he told RDS. "I would even say that the negotiations have been positive."
According to RDS, Curran and Gauthier met for several hours last week during GM meetings in Florida.
Plekanec has said that he wants to stay in Montreal once he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and Gauthier has said that re-signing him is one of his top priorities.
Plekanec leads the Canadiens in assists (44) and points (64).
Written with files from ctvmontreal.ca and RDS.ca.
