Just looking for thoughts on Georges Laraque?

Question

Im from Pittsburgh and a huge Penguins fan so this year at the trade deadline we were buys not sellers i got a little fired up. Ive been watching videos of Laraque on youtube and what not and he looks like a guy you dont mess with. I was wondering if anyone who has seen him play regularly has an opinion on him or if you know of him what do you think

Answer 1

I am a former Oilers season ticket holder, so I have seen a ton of Big Georges in the last few years (pardon the pun, yes he is a big man). You will probably love having him there, because he has an infectious enthusiasm and attitude, and was certainly among the most popular skaters in Edmonton. But... he is pretty one dimensional when it comes to his non-pugilistic skills. He is certainly one of the best and most feared fighters in the league, but the extent of his intimidation ends there, as he is not a supreme hitter by any stretch. This is mostly due to his lack of lateral mobility - he is after all rather wide - which means he can't really adjust to nail an opponent who makes a last second move to avoid the pain. But, he is reasonably quick up the ice as long as he's going in a straight line, and the one thing he can do well is hold the puck in the corner - again, with his size, he's pretty tough to take the puck away from. He can be effective in a cycle type game, but that probably doesn't mesh well with Sid the Kid's transition skills, so I don't see him playing much with him! However, his presence on the bench should ultimately help reduce the cheap shots that Sid and Malkin have had to put up with, and he can definitely find the back of the net from in close.

Enjoy! I'll be pulling for the Pens myself, since both my teams (Oilers and Leafs) have no chance

Answer 2

Georges Laraque can slam a revolving door. Need I say more?

Actually, yeah. Laraque had this to say about his trade:
"I'm excited for this new start. It's a big opportunity. This is the best place I could have gone. They have a lot of young stars who are getting abused, and they need somebody to address that so nothing happens."

What he neglected to mention was that he is going "to address that" by rearranging some faces.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he came to Pittsburgh early. Or late, if you're a pessimist.

KEEP ON LARAQUE-ING ME, BABY!

Answer 3

I live in edmonton and have met George Laraque. He is going to be a VERY good pickup for your team. He is a loyal player, contributes some offense but now ANYBODY will think twice before they even look at crosby the wrong way. Remember when nobody wanted to fight Rob Ray? watch this :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YoFX53LxBI
And Chris Simon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgUtzs-ocR8

Answer 4

He is actually a fairly descent player considering what he is really employed to do. The Pens knew they needed him, he will give some badly needed toughness to keep guys from running Crosby and Malkin all the time. Its not so much what he can do, it is what he makes sure other teams cant do that will make him a valuable addition to the Pens. And you are correct...he isnt someone most guys dont want to tangle with.

Answer 5

Not the same player he use to be. But can still keep up with the rest of the league. He's more of an enforcer than anything else, but is underrated in his puck handling ability.

He'd be most suited on a line with Crosby so he can open up the ice. Yet his skating is not so much on par.

Easily one of the toughest guys in the league when it comes to fighting, but doesn't really drop them that often.

Answer 6

Laraque - Great fighter. Being a Pens fan, you now know that Sid the kid will be protected.

Answer 7

completely agree. I basically rejoice with seeing gamers like Malkin lose it against the Wings. It basically shows they're in his head. If that's what Malkin desires to do to get introduced on, then enable him do it. It won't deter the Wings in any respect. The instigator penalty is there to evade "planned" thuggery. This Malkin difficulty replaced into the consequence of yet another scrum. Talbot have been given Osgood, then Stuart and Zetterberg gave it to Talbot. Malkin got here in and evened it out. beneficial he went a splash overboard, i replaced into incredibly style of shocked at him. many times it takes something great for a participant to get that pissed, and he looked pissed at Z. that's what makes it look that Malkin is basically getting rid of frustration, because of the fact Z fairly did no longer do something. No way Malkin did something suspension worth, if he did then you definately would droop gamers after each and every combat. no longer precisely what's mandatory in hockey. the single non-suspension i did no longer trust in this playoffs replaced into the Scott Walker punch.

Answer 8

I'm afraid he and his new team will be playing in another city next year. The Pens didn't exercise the one year option at Mellon Arena, which opens the door for them to leave Pittsburgh for another city like Kansas City or Houston. I hope this doesn't happen, but the longer the arena talks drag out, the worse it looks for Pittsburgh.

Answer 9

A real bruiser who has pretty a decent scoring touch so come play-off time they won't have to scratch him. Also, let teams try to take liberties with their young guys in the form of cheap shots, they will think twice because they will pay the price.
As a pretty cool sidenote, I play with his brother Jules-Edy. He also is a tough son of a gun, not nearly as big though.

Answer 10

as said before for an enforcer on a team he is someone that can be used quite regularly. but the best part come from his sound team play that has learned from the staff in edmonton. your getting a spirted leader that has experience in many years of playoffs, including cup finals