Canadiens tell Laraque he is no longer needed

[pghbuccos]

Bob Gainey and George Laraque met this morning to discuss his departure from the Canadiens. Gainey told him "head coach Jacques Martin didn't have any confidence in him anymore and the team believes they can win without the enforcer in the lineup".

Laraque will be paid the rest of this season and the Habs will buyout his remaining season. he has had back issues and has played a limited number of games over the past 2 seasons since he joined the Habs. I have never been a fan of Laraque's even when he played here for the Pens. he just wasn't the impact player that people made him out to be. I think Eric Godard is that type of player and I am glad he was brought in to replace Laraque. I don't think other players feared Laraque and he never really challenged anyone at the right times like Godard will if he has too.

tsn.ca

 

[Sly]

Bob Gainey and George Laraque met this morning to discuss his departure from the Canadiens. Gainey told him "head coach Jacques Martin didn't have any confidence in him anymore and the team believes they can win without the enforcer in the lineup".

Laraque will be paid the rest of this season and the Habs will buyout his remaining season. he has had back issues and has played a limited number of games over the past 2 seasons since he joined the Habs. I have never been a fan of Laraque's even when he played here for the Pens. he just wasn't the impact player that people made him out to be. I think Eric Godard is that type of player and I am glad he was brought in to replace Laraque. I don't think other players feared Laraque and he never really challenged anyone at the right times like Godard will if he has too.

tsn.ca

It's funny, my brother and I were watching a game a week or two ago and they showed highlights of another game and a Laraque fight...my brothers comment:

"Laraque's still around!?!?!"

That tells you how "impact" he is...or isn't.

 

[adamcm]

Ya I think George's days are just about done. Not much upside offensively or defensively anymore.

I do think he'd make a great panel guy though for some comedic value.

 

[lumm0x]

The problem with him as an enforcer is he was never angry. He didn't seem to care to fight at all. I doesn't matter how tough he is, if players know they can take liberties and he won't react then he isn't much of an enforcer. I do remember when he was here in Edmonton though he was great in the community and a classy guy to run into around town.