Georges Laraque: Just a BIG Tease...So Far

I’m not sure what other Montreal Canadien fans are thinking just three games into the young but long season, but so far the Habs have been keeping up with the other physical teams in the league. Monday night they came into the City of Brotherly Love, and matched the physical Philadelphia Flyers, despite missing a huge element of the Canadiens' physical side. The beast’s name, Georges Laraque.

Ever since the 6’3” machine signed a three year contract with the Canadiens on July 3rd, he has so far just seemed like a big tease. All summer I craved to see him take on some of the toughest fighters in the upcoming season. Well, that season has come and began, and still no Laraque.

The big man’s season has been put on hold thanks to a straining groin injury that has kept him out of Montreal’s first three regular season games and all nine of the Canadiens preseason games. While Laraque has suffered through the injury, Canadiens' fans have suffered through not being able to see Laraque hit the ice and to force a few of his opponents to drop and hit the ice as well.

Wednesday night would make the perfect return date for Georges, as the Canadiens are hosting the long time rival Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre in their home opener. I want to see Laraque on my television screen on RDS, just as much as the lucky 21,273 who will get the privilege of being seated at the game instead of on their couch at home.

Head Coach Guy Carbonneau has said that he would be surprised to see Georges Laraque and other injured players, forward Chris Higgins and defensemen Francis Bouillon, out of the line up Wednesday night. If Carbonneau’s prediction is correct, Habs' fans could be getting a big surprise come Wednesday night. How big? About 240 pounds big.         

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