Tomas Plekanec will not be in the lineup for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay, the team announced.
The decision comes with the trade deadline set for Monday, and amid reports the veteran center is attracting suitors after Derick Brassard was dealt by the Ottawa Senators on Friday.
Plekanec is in the final season of a two-year deal that carries a cap hit of $6 million. In 60 games this term, he's chipped in six goals and 18 assists.
The 35-year-old has spent the entirety of his NHL career with the Canadiens, recording 232 goals and 373 assists in 981 regular-season games since being selected 71st overall in 2001.
