Kyle Dubas trades for a player and immediately terminates his contract
On Tuesday, former Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas swung a deal with the Vancouver Canucks to acquire Jack Rathbone, a former top defensive prospect, and Karel Plasek, a 6th round pick by the Canucks back in 2019. In return, Dubas sent defenseman Mark Friedman and forward Ty Glover back to the Canucks.
Rathbone had fallen out of favour in Vancouver and was promised by management that if he failed to make the team out of training camp this year, that the club would try to find him an opportunity with another organization. They made good on that promise. For Plasek, however, it appears as though the move wasn't made with the intention of find him a more favourable opportunity.
Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Plasek was placed on waivers on Wednesday for the purposes of having his contract terminated.
Plasek, 23, spent last season with Olomouc HC in the Czech league, producing 6 goals and 9 assists for a total of 15 points in 31 games. The 5'11 winger also produced 5 points in 7 playoff games with Olomouc HC this spring. Plasek had received a brief look in the AHL in 2021-22, skating in 8 games with the Abbotsford Canucks, but recorded no points. He has not played a single game yet this season.
Obviously, this move was never made with Plasek in mind. Dubas' only focus in this deal was on Rathbone. Fortunately for Plasek, once his contract termination is made official on Thursday, he'll have the opportunity to sign with whomever he pleases.
