MAK Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I wish he hadn't pulled a 2008 Dandenault either. But I still believe this team has too many players. If D'Agostini and Pacioretty stay with the big club and if either Sergei or Stewart remain (taking into account when the injured players return) then the press box turnstyle features Begin, Dandenault and/or Laraque or any other 3 player combo. There should be 2 depth press box players. Laraque is being punished in directly by this over surplus IMO. So is Begin and he's not happy today either!!! I want answers from Guy and BOb! I don't think he's being punished for the amount of players but for lackluster play. Idon't think anybody expect him to become a top scorer, Carbonneau included. but at least give an effort, George. Look like you care a little, please!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I just lost all respect for BGL. he has sat out with injuries cause he was out of shape now he wants to cry cause he thinks he's the next coming of gretzky? go away georges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saskhab Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I wish he hadn't pulled a 2008 Dandenault either. But I still believe this team has too many players. If D'Agostini and Pacioretty stay with the big club and if either Sergei or Stewart remain (taking into account when the injured players return) then the press box turnstyle features Begin, Dandenault and/or Laraque or any other 3 player combo. There should be 2 depth press box players. Laraque is being punished in directly by this over surplus IMO. So is Begin and he's not happy today either!!! I want answers from Guy and BOb! I don't know what you're referring to by "2008 Dandenault". 2008 Dandenault was disappointed by his lack of icetime, but vowed to work his way back onto the team he was still a part of. And he did. 2009 Laraque is pissed off when the team is finally getting some positive mojo and is openly inviting a trade. Worlds of difference. You want players who WANT to play for you. Laraque needs a talking to from Bob and Guy to sort this out, and if they can't, then there's no point in keeping him. Begin will likely be waived in the next couple days. I assumed this would be the case since he has no contract for next year and needs to prove he can still play in the NHL to get another one from any of 30 teams. Carbo likes too many players ahead of him: Chipchura as a C, Stewart and Dandy as wingers, even BGL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoZed Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Begin will likely be waived in the next couple days. I assumed this would be the case since he has no contract for next year and needs to prove he can still play in the NHL to get another one from any of 30 teams. Carbo likes too many players ahead of him: Chipchura as a C, Stewart and Dandy as wingers, even BGL. I dont think it's a matter of the coach liking players over others, but if Gainey didnt plan to re-sign Begin, the coach's better off breaking in the kid that's gonna replace him right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Ryder Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 This team and this player are not a fit. He has to play in a team that roll 3 lines not 4. In a team that roll steady 4 lines every player has to be good enough to play against the first line. On the road that is the first thing that the other coach will do. Send the best line against the weakest line. If a team roll 3 lines and keep 3 specialist(goon,pk,pp) it's a complete different story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redondo Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 We didn't get Laraque for the regular season, we got him for the playoffs. I still think he is yet to have his best moments with us, he has been injured and he is rounding into shape. To trade him now wouldn't plug a hole, it would create one. Though I agree that the choice of timing for these comments is kind of poor on his part. I find it hard to believe that he couldn't have talked to Carbo and Gainey about this privately. Maybe they can talk to him now and calm him down, because he will be needed. In the games that I've seen him play, the rest of the guys are much more inclined to stand up for each other then when he's not dressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Which would have been better - Laraque shutting Lucic down the entire game or fighting with him? It was asinine to bench him for not fighting that game. Plus, frustrating him like that would be the best way to get him to fight. What makes you think he doesn't want to fight? The fact that he's destoryed 5 of the 7 goons he's pounded this year? If we had wanted a guy to just go out there and fight, we'd have gone out and gotten a guy like Shelley or Ivanans. I think it's a bit late in the season to be punishing the guy for being out of shape 6 months ago. I just don't understand you people. For years people have said they'd love a goon who can also play some hockey, but now that we have one, you call him out for not being the hockeyless goon you've dissed in the past. He should never been brought in in the first place. Plenty of people on this board thought that we'd be better off without a fighter (and I'm talking way before Laraque ever entered the picture), this is exactly why. His job is to fight, and to just be there. Even if he's hardly getting any minutes or even if he's not dressed, his presence is felt and respected. That's his role. What more can he expect? He showed up out of shape and has been outplayed by Begin, Kostopoulos, Dandenaiult, Stewart, Chipchura and every other player we've tried out this season. Then when he does play, he hardly ever fights. Sure, he's a better fighter than Henry or anyone else on the team but all his fights are meaningless, useless. Fighting Brad May off the puck drop... useless! Gorges, Bouillon, Kostopoulos, Brisebois, Stewart, Pacioretty or Komisarek jumping someone after having a teammate cheap-shotted? Those are the types of fights we want to get involved in. We lose those fights often - that's exactly where we need Laraque to step in. But instead he does nothing: he politely goes up to an opposing goon who has been a total non-factor in the game, asks him if he'd like to throw blows - never forgetting his pleases and thank yous - and if he consents, beats the shit out of him. When one of our players gets their head rammed into the boards, Georges's job is to kick that guy's ass the next time they're on the ice together. Anything else from him is a failure since he has virtually no hockey skills (like I said, aside for fighting, he's last place on the team's depth chart) or other uses. At the very least, Laraque presents us with the illusion of toughness. Hopefully other teams don't find out that they won't have to answer to his fists unless they formally RSVP his invitation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habsfan84 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Laraque was a huge bust and a waste of money for a guy who cant do anything but fight. He hardly even does that when he's in the lineup. The Habs should look for a taker and get his salary off the books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neech Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Then when he does play, he hardly ever fights. Sure, he's a better fighter than Henry or anyone else on the team but all his fights are meaningless, useless. Fighting Brad May off the puck drop... useless! Gorges, Bouillon, Kostopoulos, Brisebois, Stewart, Pacioretty or Komisarek jumping someone after having a teammate cheap-shotted? Those are the types of fights we want to get involved in. We lose those fights often - that's exactly where we need Laraque to step in. But instead he does nothing: he politely goes up to an opposing goon who has been a total non-factor in the game, asks him if he'd like to throw blows - never forgetting his pleases and thank yous - and if he consents, beats the shit out of him. This is true. His fights are so meaningless and have nothing to do with the game. He'll square off with an opposing goon in a pre-arranged bout, all it accomplishes is that there are fewer fourth-liners for five minutes. He's won most of his fights, but I would rate Gorges or Stewart defending their teammates as more important and ultimately better fights for the team. It doesn't seem like he really fits the style of this team - he's too slow. Yeah he can hold the puck in the corner longer than most, but when it's inevitably coughed up he'll be the last one skating back. Stewart, his main competitor IMO, seems like a more well-rounded player for this team. Having said that, we've barely seen Laraque healthy this year, and he is one of our few forwards under contract next year. Maybe he could be a part of a remaking of a tougher Habs team. And maybe he could come in handy in the playoffs, especially if we face Boston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze53 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Laraque was a huge bust and a waste of money for a guy who cant do anything but fight. He hardly even does that when he's in the lineup. The Habs should look for a taker and get his salary off the books. Agreed, where the hell is this guy's loyalty? Bob signed him to a long-term contract expecting more than what BGL has produced this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nilan25 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Look I like the guy. He is like all those old fighters. They get to the point where they don't like to fight anymore. Furthermore, no one except guys like Shelley, Godard etc. will fight him. It really hasn't worked out for whatever reason. But a no trade clause? WTF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanpuck33 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 How the hell do you expect Laraque to stick up for teammates when about the only ice time he ever gets is in the 1st period? He usually plays the first half of a game and then sees maybe two shifts. If he's not on the ice when the hit happens and isn't put on the ice at the same as as the offending player, how is that his fault? 80% of his ice time is against the other team's goon, so who else is he going to fight? Just look at the Colorado game. Yes, Brisebois fought Tucker after he ran Halak, but that's the type of thing you want Laraque to stand up for. He wasn't on the ice when it happened and wasn't put on the ice the same time as Tucker till 7 minutes left in the game, when you don't want a fight that might fire up the Avs. He's not been put in a position to do the things you're asking him to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nilan25 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 How the hell do you expect Laraque to stick up for teammates when about the only ice time he ever gets is in the 1st period? He usually plays the first half of a game and then sees maybe two shifts. If he's not on the ice when the hit happens and isn't put on the ice at the same as as the offending player, how is that his fault? 80% of his ice time is against the other team's goon, so who else is he going to fight? Just look at the Colorado game. Yes, Brisebois fought Tucker after he ran Halak, but that's the type of thing you want Laraque to stand up for. He wasn't on the ice when it happened and wasn't put on the ice the same time as Tucker till 7 minutes left in the game, when you don't want a fight that might fire up the Avs. He's not been put in a position to do the things you're asking him to do. Laracque is not there to fight Tucker. He has been slow and out of shape. Just hasn't worked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athlétique.Canadien Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 PJ Stock is all over this. I don't trust him. PJ might have said that Laraque has "requested a trade" , but all other indicators point to what we already know. He feels he'll be moved. That`s what the Globe and Mail ran with! I caution all Habs funs not to trust Stock on this. I wonder if I could trust PJ to take out my garbage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycing Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 And when one of our Habs gets destroyed by an opponent and no one jumps in to help, everyone will cry about how we need someone like Geoges Laraque in the line up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Dying breed. He better get out there and hammer someone before he's out of a job. Rumours have it that fighting may actually be out of hockey in the next few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanpuck33 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Laracque is not there to fight Tucker. He has been slow and out of shape. Just hasn't worked out. If he's not here to be just a goon, and he's not here to fight guys who mess with us, what exactly do you want out of the guy? 20 goals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athlétique.Canadien Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) Laraque has stepped it up and his skating speed has been better. I think the gaffe versus Washington was his downfall in the lineup. He should have gone to the bench in favour of a better PK'er. He was non existant (against Semin I think) defending in the slot. He was a spectator. He should have lunged at him. Mug him! But he was out of position! BGL took a dumb penalty. But, live by the sword...etc. The club didn't know who or what they were getting? Smell the coffee anyone? It's too bad BGL failed on the PK duty after steppping out of the box. Er, um...wasn't it the coaches decision he join the 5 on 3 situation or was it Laraque's own? I think it's safe to say we know the answer to that! I give Laraque credit. Just when there's a show of good promise or production - He's thrown to the press box. He is definitely not a PK'er. I was initially ticked that Carbo let him stay on. A simple play on the ice might directly relate to this issue. Based on Georges play lately, I believe he should get into the lineup! Now he just has to keep his mouth shut. And, we need to truly find the TEAM! Edited February 26, 2009 by Athlétique.Canadien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMAC Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Now he just has to keep his mouth shut. And, we need to truly find the TEAM! I really do not care in the least whether or not BGL should be in the lineup or not. If he is unhappy talk to the coach or to Bob but it is ridiculous to start this shit in the media with the team just starting to get out of a horrendous slump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trizzak Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I'd like to point out that when he tried to fight someone after a teammate was felled by a big hit, he ended up taking an interference penalty trying to goad the player (Brashear?) into a fight. So the fight he does do is useless, but the worthwhile fight he tries to do causes a 2 minute penalty. And then he's benched. Laraque can't win, it seems. Look, I even wrote an article on this site about everything he's left to be desired so far this season, but when he tries to do what he's meant to do and then gets benched for it, I can understand his frustration. Granted, the better option than pushing Brashear around would have been to nail his ass with a hard hit next time he touched the puck, and then see if he feels like dropping the gloves, but the immediate reaction of coming to the aide of his teammate shouldn't be passed off as nothing. But as others have mentioned before, he's picking the worst time to go public on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 But as others have mentioned before, he's picking the worst time to go public on this one. Remember Gino Odjick ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REV-G Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) Well...HE showed up in bad shape, was never a key factor in any game, he never fought, didn't play rough and HE COMPLAINS THAT THE COACH DOESN'T PLAY HIM ??!! COME ON !!! Who the heck does he think he his ?? I sure hope he's traded to some bottom feeder in return of a draft pick., if not, waive him and send him down if he's not picked up. Talk about a total lack of respoect towards a team that pays you big bucks !! I agree totally. The guy doesn't do much at the beginning of the season when he's healthy, then he's injured, which isn't his fault, but now he complains that he should be playing more. Other than his toughness, how many guys is he playing better than? I like George, but he needs to earn his icetime like everyone else and show why he should be on the ice. I agree that against a few teams we need him, but come on George, show us something! There's obviously a reason why he's been on what, 4 teams in 5 years? Stop complaining and start working hard and earn your ice time like everyone else! Edited February 26, 2009 by REV-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLP Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I agree totally. The guy doesn't do much at the beginning of the season when he's healthy, then he's injured, which isn't his fault, but now he complains that he should be playing more... I think BGL was injured from the beginning of the season. Anyway IMO a real goon should be a SoB, a loose cannon, a madder, strike fear and all. Not the fuggin Marquis de Queensbury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I would much rather Laraque in there then Dandy, he is only getting 7-10 minutes a night right now. I'm not sure what he brings to the table that is much better then Laraque. Yes i realize they are 2 different players. I want the tough guy in there, i also want Laraque to be more physical as well, drive the net and mess with the other teams goalies. I am still trying to figure out what kind of players GC likes: 1. Players he played with 2. Old worthless vets who no longer produce 3. Certain young players, some who produce some who don't So i can't figure out what kind of team it's suppose to be. It's not a tough team, it's not a fast team, it's certainly not a hard working team, it's not a defensive team, so what is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I would much rather Laraque in there then Dandy, he is only getting 7-10 minutes a night right now. I'm not sure what he brings to the table that is much better then Laraque. Yes i realize they are 2 different players. I want the tough guy in there, i also want Laraque to be more physical as well, drive the net and mess with the other teams goalies. I am still trying to figure out what kind of players GC likes: 1. Players he played with 2. Old worthless vets who no longer produce 3. Certain young players, some who produce some who don't So i can't figure out what kind of team it's suppose to be. It's not a tough team, it's not a fast team, it's certainly not a hard working team, it's not a defensive team, so what is it? A loosing team? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.