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Georges Laraque. Well, folks. Oooh, this is a tough one.

The Montreal Canadiens have asked big Georgie to stay at home on his couch for the rest of the season. Watch the games from the likes of his preferred establishment, but please don't attend the games at the Bell Centre. His services are no longer appreciated or needed. George has been told to stay away.

Not fulfilling job description

On July 3, 2008, Laraque signed a contract as a free agent with the Montreal Canadiens. It was a deal worth $4.5 million US over three years, an annual salary of $1.5 million. The Habs believed they were getting one of the toughest guys in the game, one who could find the back of the net every now and then as well. He was expected to be the protector of his teammates. He was expected to put fear in the eyes of all of the Canadiens’ opponents. He was expected to make playing the Habs ... difficult.

That hasn't been the case.

George has two shots on net this year. They both happened on the same shift. George has 28 penalty minutes in 28 games. Four fights. As I write this, the Montreal Canadiens are out of a playoff spot.

Do I agree with what the Habs brass did? Do I have a problem with their decision?

I really understand why they did it and I won't lose any sleep over it. George was asked to provide a service for which he was paid lots of moolah. George did not hold up his end of the bargain. He became a distraction on and off the ice and more so off it.

After every game, where he only had a minimal amount of shifts and/or ice time, the microphones would be in his face. You have Gomez or Gionta or Price sitting around and the mikes are on Laraque. Why? He's a great quote. There is nothing wrong with that and I admire the way he always tries to find light of almost any situation ... except for when you ask him about his game.

He wanted more playing time and he would let it be known. This always doesn't bode well with your teammates on the lines ahead of you. There is a way to do it and sometimes your emotions get the best of you. I've been there ... trust me ... and as I said, your thoughts are usually welcome by teammates. Except when you are more or less saying you want their ice time because they aren't doing enough with their time.

Enforcer’s job a tough one

Georgie was paid a ton of cake to do a job and speaking to the media wasn't one of them. Beating the snot out of people was. You could only imagine what others were thinking when No. 17 was asking for more ice, but wasn't doing anything with the ice he was being already given. George was becoming a distraction in the dressing room.

It's a real tough job that Laraque did for such a long time. Sooner or later your body and mind need a break. George needs a break. The Habs needed a break too. I understand why the Canadiens made their decision to let Big George go. Financially, $1.5 million for (???), and sometimes moving one player can change the synergy of a dressing room and lord knows the Canadiens could use some help right now.

I do have one problem with their decision. George does a ton of work off the ice. He really deserves to be complimented for his work for charities. What stinks about this decision was that he was in the midst of raising funds for relief efforts for family members he has in Haiti. I know the Canadiens knew, everyone knew. They told the press that they were going to let him go earlier, but extended it because of the Haiti situation.

George was one of the toughest men during a tough time in the NHL. I wish him my best as he sits at home frustrated, still doing work for people in Haiti.