Welcome to Montreal, Big Georges

posted by Mike Boone at 11h44 EST on Sep 19

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.

Worst haircut on the team so far: Andrei Kostitsyn, sporting a Belarussian mullet.

Mike Komisarek, characteristically cheerful, said the Canadiens are "a good team with a lot of great players." Success this season will hinge on "how we come together, how we confront adversity down the road."

On the possibility of being a UFA next summer, Komisarek said "I guess you sort of come to that when it happens."

"If you look too far down the line," he added, "you lose track of what's going on today."

Will he be open to negotiating a new contract during the season?

"I'm not an agent," Komisarek laughed. "I'm a player. It's out of my hands."

On leadership: "We have great leadership in Kovy and Saku ... it's your mentality and lifestyle, on and off the ice ... Guys speak volumes with the way they handle themselves."

Comments

Submitted by DD on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 18:55.

As Joe Dirt said about his glorious mullet, "Business up front, party in the back."

Submitted by DAVE. N on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 18:24.

Kostitsyn is wearing a recession hairstyle.....must be linked to the economic woes, and in protest of the upcoming salary cap next year

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 15:36.

Georges Laraque will be a very valuable member of the Habs if used correctly and a little of topic , hockey mom and Republican candidate for vice president at the white house was asked if she agreed with the Bush governments buy out of AIG , and the answer was No , then said she would of put it on Ebay.

Submitted by DAVE. N on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 18:28.

She's a hockey Mom right? probably has GWB's signed (fill in the blank) on E-bay already

Submitted by Shiloh on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 19:08.

If she likes hockey then I'm willing to admit that she has one good quality. Otherwise she's a ridiculous, extreme right wing, fundamentalist loonie-toon. Go Habs!

Submitted by REB2 on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 21:50.

As opposed to the ridiculous, extreme left wing, clueless loonie-toon the other party proposes for President; he has no good qualities. Go Habs!

Submitted by Shoowtime on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 14:58.

AHHHH!!!
Its good to be baaack.
The show is finaly back on after a good offseason.
Good to see be George ready to police the Ice suddenly Kovalev and Koivu look much bigger.
Welcome Alex Tanguay this is the jungle Baby learn to love it and fast alot will be expected 1) because you're talented 2) because you're french
Keep Hab nation on you're side or else we will chew you're french ass.
Robert Lang the best advise I can give you is the KISS rule.
We made some good additions to the team this year We should be better SHOULD.
Go Habs Go
100 years of greateness another 100 to go.
Best part about the NHL this year LEAFS SUCK.

Submitted by snowdonsteve on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 13:52.

Please respect the mullet, it's not a haircut, it's a lifestyle.

Go HABS Go

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 12:55.

Mathieu Schneider will not be at the Duck's training camp today as his agent claims a deal is close so why risk injury.

Submitted by yukonhab on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 12:47.

Love your tat...Habsrule1

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 13:09.

Thanks! It took a while to come up with the idea.

Go Habs Go!!

Habsrule

Submitted by Mike Boone on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 14:29.

Puts mine to shame ...

Submitted by ths on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 19:07.

What ? The 'Mississipi' one ? or the Celine Dion one ?

Submitted by Morenz7 on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 12:43.

I need to see a photo of this Bela-do on Kostitsyn. Does Sideway take requests?

Submitted by vaya_ on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 19:11.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4246/kostyhaircu2.jpg

Thanks to "Guy Carbonneau" at hfboards.

Awesome.

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 12:25.

Not sure if this was posted elsewhere. Vote for the Habs logo!

www.thehockeynews.com/articles/17891-THNcom-Logo-Tournament-Quarterfinal...

Go Habs Go!!

Habsrule

Submitted by The Teacher on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 12:36.

Don't mess with Montreal fans. The count is now 78%-22% in favour of Montreal.

Laraque will make them Pay the Price!

Submitted by xaverian001 on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 13:14.

That's hilarious ... it was 55-45 in favour of North Dakota yesterday.

Submitted by secretdragonfly on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 13:26.

Never underestimate the power of the vote (of course, in my case, I've voted three times).

Submitted by J.T. on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 12:01.

I feel bad for poor old Kostitsyn. He's trying so hard to make a style out of his thinning, receding hair. He should just go Sundin on that sucker and get it over with.

http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com