Georges Laraque

A Swedish newspaper this morning reports that the NHL has blocked Georges Laraque's intended move to AIK Stockholm. "It's a complicated situation we can't resolve for the moment," the boss of the Swedish club says.

The problem seems to revolve around Laraque's no-movement clause, which is puzzling since he'd presumably waive that clause if he wanted to play in Sweden. If BGL waived it, then it's the league or the Canadiens that have an issue with this.

If the information is indeed accurate, Laraque remains on the Canadiens' 23-man roster and his salary continues to count against the cap. Courtesy of our friends at corussports.com, here's the link to the story, in Swedish. Translation help requested from one of our linguists reading Inside/Out, but an online translation program yielded the key elements above.

Yet another topic of conversation for today's Habs practice, which might be a good deal of fun for everyone except the players.

A deal for Georges Laraque to play for AIK Stockholm has nearly been completed, according to a published report. All that seems to be holding it up is an insurance matter. A deal could be announced, the report says, as early as this afternoon.

An update on Georges Laraque and his expressed interest in joining AIK Stockholm, which is in the news today.

The Canadiens released Laraque last week, but will pay his salary through the end of the season. He remains on the 23-man roster, and the salary paid to him counts against the salary cap.

Laraque has a no-movement clause in his contract, meaning he cannot be traded to any other team without his consent. Therefore, the Habs could not place him on waivers, which explains his outright release.

For Laraque to play in Sweden, he would need the permission of the Canadiens. To get that, he would have to waive his no-movement clause (which surely he would agree to do if he wants to play in Sweden) and the club would put him on waivers. If no other NHL club claims him, he would be free to play outside the NHL, say, in Europe.

The Canadiens would continue to pay Laraque, but his salary would not count against the cap. His roster spot on the Habs would be freed up – the team currently has 22, plus Laraque. The Canadiens would still be responsible for Laraque's salary next season, the final of his three-year contract, though there has been an indication the team would buy him out at this season's end.

Georges Laraque's personal chef is psyched!

Reports out of Sweden today say that reluctant heavyweight Georges Laraque, released last week by the Canadiens, would play for free for AIK Stockholm if the team covered his travel, meals (no Swedish meatballs, presumably) and incidentals.

AIK Stockholm is said to be in talks with the Habs, who through the end of this season are paying Laraque, who remains on the team's 23-man roster.

The Canadiens will buy out the final year of his three-year, $4.5-million contract come the summer.

So you speak Swedish? You can find your way around an IKEA store, and might even own a Billy bookcase? Then read on:

"Jag spelar gratis i AIK” – Laraque: ”Det enda laget jag bryr mig om”

Georges Laraque generösa erbjudande till skuldtyngda AIK: NHL-stjärnan är beredd att spela gratis.

– De kan få mig för ingenting. Jag tänker inte på pengar nu, säger han till Sportbladet.

Continue reading "Laraque would play in Sweden – for free" »

Former Canadiens forward Georges Laraque met the Montreal media this afternoon in Brossard, and by all accounts he was much more gracious toward the club that released him than he was earlier in the day when he tore into the team as being "classless."

We'll link you to Pat Hickey's story shortly. For now, go here for further reading.

Canadiens Georges Laraque hits Canucks' Alexander Edler last week in Vancouver. Jenelle Schneider/Canwest News Service

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 245 lbs., Georges Laraque is a big guy by any measure. But the Canadiens enforcer is also one superstitious fellow.

In an interview Monday with a Gazette reporter, he confided that he has asked team management if he could change the number on his jersey. Now that Alex Kovalev is playing with the Ottawa Senators, he wants to be number 27, the number he wore before joining the Canadiens before last season.

"I've always worn number 27," said Laraque. Since signing with the Habs in June 2008, he said: "I've always wanted to change."

But Laraque will have to carry on as number 17. "The team thought it wouldn't be good for Kovalev fans," Laraque said.

Well, I guess a guy's gotta make a buck off-season.

If scantily clad women playing road hockey against George Laraque isn't your thing, then don't go here. The "extra" you'd find on the DVD: the making of the commercial. And to think that Maurice Richard did TV spots for Grecian Formula, Bernie Geoffrion plugged Miller Lite and Yvon Lambert had no 'assles at Dorion Suit.

(Why is Georges wearing sweatbands on his shins?)

• Andrei Markov talks to Dave Stubbs about the captaincy and other stuff

• Tomas Plekanec looks for a bounce-back season

• Pat Hickey on Max-Pac's strong camp

• François Gagnon nominates Roman Hamrlik

• Sean Gordon of the Globe and Mail on Georges Laraque's vegan diet

• Eric Duhatschek asks whether young stars like Ovie and Sid can save the NHL from itself

• Pierre LeBrun's training camp questions, including:

Are the Habs any better? It really depends on how quickly so many new faces can come together and find chemistry, and that's no small task. It also depends on how Gomez and Gionta can rebound from subpar seasons and whether they can rediscover the magic that made them effective as New Jersey teammates a few years ago. Goalie Carey Price also has much to answer for after a mediocre season. It's hard to see the Habs as anything but a bubble team fighting for the last playoff spot in the East, but stranger things have happened. Either way, Gainey had no choice but to change the dynamic of a team that came apart, on and off the ice, last season.

• Boston Globe on Steve Bégin (Thanks, nightmare_49)

 

Georges Laraque, a newly minted vegan and proponent of yoga, lost 20 pounds – he's down to 245, the lightest he's been since he turned pro – and strengthened his back during the summer. He's enthusiastic about training camp and the season to come.

In about nine minutes of audio, here's Big Georges in his own words.

Well, just given his size, Georges Laraque has made cyberspace a smaller place. Visit Big Georges here, at his newly launched Internet site. It's just up today, so there might be a connection issue or two.

When the fourth line takes to the ice tonight, they’ll be missing a huge presence on the right wing. Big ol’ Georges Laraque, who has only played in 28 games this season, will once again be sidelined because of an ailing back. Apparently, the Rock’s back was re-injured, or aggravated, or tweaked, during Wednesday night’s disappointing loss to Buffalo.
The severity of the injury is not yet known, but there’s a good chance that BGL will miss the remainder of the season.
The timing of Laraque’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. If this had happened a game earlier – or even earlier that same day – Bob Gainey might have been able to free up enough cap space to make a deadline day move.
It makes you wonder… Continue reading "Laraques' Back" »

Through our usual painstaking, leave-no-turn-unstoned  research, Habs Inside/Out has compiled a comprehensive list of NHL general managers who have phoned and e-mailed Bob Gainey to inquire about the availability of Georges Laraque.

Here it is:

 

Canadiens fourth-line winger Georges Laraque has a good time during Thursday practice.
Dave Sidaway, Gazette

DAVE STUBBS
The Gazette

Georges Laraque  plays his 18th game for the Canadiens on Friday night. And it seems entirely up to him whether he’s on the ice for five minutes or 10, whether he suits up for each of the club’s remaining 31 games or just a handful of them.

Montreal’s popular heavyweight free-agent signing of last July finally is in fighting form, so to speak, ready and eager to face the Buffalo Sabres.

It will be the first of the Canadiens’ back-to-back games, the Toronto Maple Leafs providing Bell Centre opposition Saturday, before the team sets out on a huge six-game road trip.

Laraque has missed the past 18 games with a back injury. He’s been sidelined for a total of 34 this season – 27 with groin and back problems and listed, perhaps generously, as a healthy scratch for seven more. On Thursday, Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau welcomed Laraque back to his lineup – without a single promise.

Continue reading "Laraque returns with no Carbo promises" »

Canadiens forward Georges Laraque has begun an occasional blog for Sportsnet.ca, titled Rock Talk. You'll find his first one here.

It was the topic du jour on French phone-in radio today.

If the Canadiens signed Georges Laraque so Mike Komisarek wouldn't have to fight,  how did it come to pass that Milan Lucic pounded the snot out of our most physical defenceman last night?

The consensus among callers can be expressed in a comparison that will appeal to fans of vintage Westerns:

The Canadiens thought they were signing Shane ... and they got Kid Shelleen.

 

The new RDS talkshow made its debut last night, and it was obvious from the get-go L'antichambre will be an alternative to 110%, rather than a competitor.

The TQS show is like a tavern table full of hockey fans: loud, opinionated, frequently obnoxious, occasionally stupid.

L'antichambre is more genteel: polite conversation in a setting that resembles a basement rec room, rather than a raucous saloon. 

Whereas the 110% panel is on bar stools, hunched forward and ready to pounce, the L'antichambre gang sits back in overstuffed blue chairs like they're waiting for some babe to come out and dance on the coffee table.

Continue reading "It's cozy in L'antichambre" »

If you have read my mini-bio, you'll know that I have a soft spot for hard players. I love the guys that do their best work along the boards or in front of the net. If you stretch, dive, get hit, hit back and skate hard - you've made my good books.

Last night no one epitomized that type of player more than Maxim Lapierre.

Continue reading "Grinder of the Night: Maxim Lapierre" »

Love him or hate him, you gotta love Sean Avery's honesty.

William Houston in the Globe and Mail reports Avery, on CBC's The Hour, offered a candid assessment of Don Cherry:

 “He's a staple as far as Canadian hockey goes,” Avery said. “And I grew up watching Coach's Corner, and he serves a purpose.

“But he really does not know shit about hockey.

“He knows, like, unnecessary facts about putting Sears catalogues on your shin pads.”

“He says a lot of things,” continued Avery. “He calls people by their wrong names. And it's just, like, enough of this guy.” 

• When the Canadiens are in, school's out. Dave Stubbs reports from St. Jovite.

• Georges Laraque on his recovery from an injury he won't discuss.

• NHL tough guys laud Laraque. 

• Marc De Foy of the Journal de Montréal on the battle for fourth-line spots. 

• Mathias Brunet of La Presse on Jacques Lemaire and the Minnesota Wild, who are at the Bell Centre tomorrow. 

•  Could this be The Year?

Big Georges Laracque doesn't know much, but he knows that when the bell rings to open the Canadiens's regular season, he'll be there.

Here's his money quote from today, as he ambled out of the Bell Centre shortly before noon.

 

"The trainer knows more than me. I’ll know tomorrow (when I see the doctor).

"I don’t know what kind of specialist he is. I don’t know why I’m seeing him. I just know he’s a doctor.

"Of course, at the beginning of the season, I’ll be there. Beyond that, I don’t know."

 

That is good, good stuff.

Georges Laraque was the first casualty of camp, suffering a slights groin injury that the team says is not serious. We will update the situation as we find out more.

Also, captain Saku Koivu was kept out of the afternoon scrimmage as a precaution as he continues to mend a foot injury.

The new sheriff in town  was the first player to face the media hordes this morning.

Georges Laraque put his 6-foot-3 body on a 10-inch riser and looked down at  seven TV cameras and twice as many microphones.

It's Sept. 19.

Hockey has begun.

Dave Stubbs will upload some Laraque audio later.

Here's a taste:

"I'm there to make sure the team gets respect. I'm not a guy who goes out there and looks for trouble."

I'm not a trash talker. I don't chirp."

"I fight because it's my job, not because I like it. It's what got me into the NHL."

On the possibility of more ice time, given Guy Carbonneau's preference for rolling four lines, Laraque said: "I honestly don't know. You show what you deserve. (Carbo) played hockey. Hew knows how to reward guys for working hard."

Laraque weighs 255. He said he ballooned to 275 in Phoenix, during the 2006-'07 season, because "we were out of the playoffs by Christmas and nobody cared." Then he got traded to Pittsburgh and had to get in shape.

 

Continue reading "Welcome to Montreal, Big Georges" »

We love this guy already:

Georges Laraque (quoted in the Journal de Montréal) on why he wasn't at the Canadiens tournament on Monday:

"I don't like golf."

Good on ya, Georges.

And if his rep is to be believed, that might be the last charity function the big guy misses all season.

• Good pre-season analysis of the Canadiens at nhl.com 

• It's official: Michel Bergeron and François Gagnon have joined the RDS broadcast team.  And Joeël Bouchard replaces Benoir Brunet as Jacques Demers' in-studio partner. Oddman out: Alain Crête.

• Market watch: Jarret Stoll, four years, $14 million in L.A. 

• Ticket prices going up. 

• The crew at Entourage love hockey. 

It's a cool, sunny morning in Montreal, after a stinking hot, humid Sunday.

Crispness in the air portends a change of seasons – and we all know what that means:

Hockey. Soon.

A fearless prediction: Mats Sundin is going to make his decision this week.

The basis for this? An impromptu channeling of Tony in West Side Story:

Could be!
Who knows?
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!

Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!

The question: Is Sundin coming to the Bell Centre or an arena closer to NYC's west side? 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading "Something in the air" »

In an interview with the Edmonton Sun, Georges Laraque talks about coming home to Montreal:

"When I was a kid, I remember they were winning all the Stanley Cups and every kid on the street had a Habs jersey," Laraque said.
"And what I remember the most was the Rocket Richard book that we used to read at school. "

Possibly The Hockey Sweater, en français?

Non, says poster Ben D.:

 Thanks, Ben

•  •  •

In the Edmonton Journal. Jim Matheson shoots down the rumour that had Ales Hemsky traded from the Oilers to the Canadiens:

The message boards say the Canadiens might be dangling forward Chris Higgins, defenceman P.K. Subban, a member of Canada's world junior team last year, and another roster player. And, defenceman Denis Grebeshkov's name has been talked about going to Montreal, too.

Kevin Lowe told Matheson it's all BS.

Continue reading "Laraque remembers the Rocket" »

Boston Globe beat man Fluto Shinzawa looks at the summer's unfinished business, including the chain of events that will be triggered by Mats Sundin's decision:
First, the free-spending general managers of the league - some NHL personnel consider Boston boss Peter Chiarelli among this bunch for throwing $12 million at Michael Ryder - have put some clubs over or near the $56.7 million cap ceiling, which guarantees shifting of salaries prior to the 2008-09 season.

Anaheim will most assuredly move defenseman Mathieu Schneider, his puck-moving abilities, and his $5.625 million contract to a club that can absorb such a cap hit. Chicago will undoubtedly move goalie Nikolai Khabibulin's $6.75 million salary, especially with newbie Cristobal Huet ($22.5 million over four years) expected to grab the No. 1 job. Ex-Bruin Mike Knuble, entering the final year of his contract (a mere $2.8 million per season), might be up for grabs for a club seeking a power forward.

Second, Mats Sundin has pledged to make a decision on his future by Friday, which should let loose a torrent of activity for the clubs that lose out on the pivot's services - if, in fact, the big Swede decides to return to the NHL.

•  •  •

Frequent poster Sidhu sends a YouTube link to a lovely feature on Georges Laraque, produced when he was in Edmonton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbSOd5P8g2A

Interesting to hear Laraque talk about the influence of Jackie Robinson on his life. (1955 photo by Ralph Morse)

•  •  •

What are you doing at 7:30 p.m. on Boxing Day?

Canada vs. the Czech Republic at the World Juniors in Ottawa.

Complete tournament sked.

The Canadiens web site reports Georges Laraque will wear number 17 this season.

Laraque was number 27 in Phoenix and Pittsburgh, but that's taken in Montreal.

Laraque will become the Canadiens' 45th 17 and the first since Jason Ward in 2003-04.

Jean-Guy Talbot wore 17 the longest, 1954 to 1967. Rod Langway wore it from 1978 to 1982.

Other notables to have worn No. 17 include Ken Reardon, Phil Roberto, Larry Pleau, Murray Wilson, Craig Ludwig, John LeClair and Benoit Brunet. Guy  Lapointe wore it from 1968 to 1970 before becoming number 5.

Greatest 17 ever? Has to be Jean Beliveau, who wore it for the two games he played with the Habs in 1950-51.

 

While Habs Inside/Out deeply deplores all forms of violence, we cannot help but look forward to the first time this season that Wade Redden tries to muscle Sergei Kostitsyn or Chris Neil runs Carey Price or Milan Lucic tries to goad Mike Komisarek into a major penalty.

For a preview of what might eventuate, here are a few of Georges Laraque's greatest hits:

Compilation, with music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GacYEtfI8MM

vs. Colton Orr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzBSICvS0Dk

Clash of the Titans: featuring Derek Boogard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KtO6vx0QU4&feature=related

Eric Godard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvx9Qtbf3SU&feature=related

Brian McGrattan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5qUEYfhIa4&feature=related

Kris Barch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Ce__ou5Mk&feature=related

Riley Coté
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGiJ4gDrSYA&NR=1

A classic, because Georges was mic'd for the game and wishes Raitins Ivanans "good luck" before they go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvIK-FLJgn4&feature=related

Freshly minted Canadien Georges Laraque spoke to a dozen or so Montreal hockey media this evening on a teleconference arranged by the hockey club, saying it will be his job to let the team's skill players do their job and not be run out of the arena.

Here, in its entirety, is the audio of the 23-minute bilingual session.

A couple of highlights in English:

• About 3:45 in, Laraque speaks at length about his 2003 comments about not wanting to play for the Canadiens;

• At about 19 minutes, he speaks candidly about having been able to take advantage of a Canadiens team last season that didn't have a heavyweight on its roster.

(Apologies for the sound quality; teleconferences are what they are...)

It was in March 2003 that Georges Laraque wrote a column for the RDS website headlined: "Why I don't want to play in Montreal."

It appeared shortly after the trading deadline, and it dealt with the pressure players face in Montreal, the way he believed they're turned on by the media and fans alike, and how so many players enjoy fruitful careers once they're traded from the Canadiens.

We talked about the controversial column when Laraque came to Montreal in August 2003 to play in the Canadian ball-hockey championship, and he was sticking to his guns. The resulting story appears below.

Continue reading "Welcome home, Georges – and never say never" »

Not quite the sweater of the Canadiens, but Georges Laraque, then 26, did cut a dashing figure in the Montreal All Blacks ball-hockey shirt in August 2003.
Marie-France Coallier, Gazette

Not true whatsoever that Georges Laraque will this coming season make his debut with Montreal. He did that five summers ago – with the Montreal All Blacks in the Canadian Ball Hockey Championship held in this city.

Laraque was the almost secret weapon of the All Blacks, who the early Sunday morning we met at the Montreal airport baggage carousel had jetted in from Edmonton and was waiting for his sticks to be delivered.

He then was a five-year member of the All Blacks, albeit a player whose attendance record was somewhat spotty – in fact, he hadn't played a single game for the team that summer before he was drafted to help in the championship tournament.

The story follows on Laraque's arrival to run around and chase a hard orange ball. (Sadly, we never did report his final statistics at the end of the tournament...)

Continue reading "Laraque's second tour of duty with Montreal" »