Tomas Plekanec has been traded to the Maple Leafs, but his time in Toronto may only be for a short stint.

While the longtime Montreal Canadiens forward was dealt to the rival club Sunday, his time in Toronto may not be for long, as the pending unrestricted free agent has already established the contract parameters to sign back with the Canadiens this offseason, reports Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

Plekanec does not carry a no-trade pact, but the only club he has ever known respected his wishes Sunday by keeping him in the Eastern Conference. That will surely play into the Canadiens' favor should Plekanec reach free agency.

Plekanec was drafted by the Canadiens in 2001. His 981 games played ranks seventh in franchise history.