ROEN
Writes for Habsworld
Just wrote this, here's my substack link for those who would like to read past stuff, would love you guys to give me your opinion, btw thanks to all of those here who made my first ever article a top link on Habsworld. :
In an almost ironic acknowledgment of their predicament, the Montreal Canadiens under Bob Gainey in 2010 severed ties with George Laraque, deeming him a distraction and, implicitly, an impediment to the playoff aspirations. Gainey, a figure never distant from controversy—labeling Brisebois-booing fans ‘yellow’ and fostering close connections with select players (recall the long walk with Alex Kovalev)—was blunt in his dismissals when he deemed players detrimental to his core’s ascendancy (Mike Ribeiro springs to mind).
Little did Gainey realize, he had inadvertently disarmed his team. In a division boasting the likes of Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic, the notion of ‘team toughness’ seemed illusory. Fourteen months later, with Laraque's contract still active, the Habs’ captain, Max Pacioretty, was driven into a stanchion by Chara, an incident resulting in a broken neck and sidelining Pacioretty for the playoff showdown against the Bruins—who would go on to win the Stanley Cup that summer.
Laraque’s own controversies notwithstanding, he remained circumspect on the details surrounding his departure from the Canadiens, leaving the burden of explanation on their shoulders. The oft-injured forward transitioned seamlessly from hockey, advocating for Haitian causes, embracing veganism, and morphing into a radio personality with a narrative as unyielding as his playing style.
In his radio endeavors, Laraque has become the voice of the everyday fan, unfiltered yet discerning, tapping into the city’s hunger for a Stanley Cup champion. The Canadiens' evolving young core, against the backdrop of Ryan Reeves joining the Leafs and Lucic's return to Boston, underscores the team’s imperative for a tougher, grittier on-ice presence. The roles of Arber Xhekaj and Michael Pezzetta are pivotal, but the memory of careers like Mike Komisarek’s, marred by the inability to counter formidable opponents, lingers ominously. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes surely recognize the significance of impending encounters between Lucic, Reeves, and Xhekaj—a juncture that could dictate the Habs’ trajectory for years.
Which loops the narrative back to Laraque. This summer, he extended an uncharacteristically direct offer to train the Habs’ enforcers, noting Xhekaj’s potential yet pinpointing flaws in his fighting stance. Laraque’s influence appears tangible, with glimpses of him possibly training Pezzetta captured surreptitiously.
As training camp concludes, and the Canadiens gear up for a pivotal 2023-2024 season, the discussions around retired players influencing the team’s journey resurface. Laraque’s post-playing endeavors signify his potential impact, comparable to Paul Byron and Stephane Robidas, in sculpting the Canadiens’ destiny.
The Canadiens stand on the precipice of a transformative season, a test of resilience, grit, and evolution. The integration of figures like Laraque could be the linchpin in navigating this challenging terrain. Here’s hoping the Habs discern this before the gloves hit the ice.
