The fact Georges Laraque, top, only had four fights this season didn't help his chances of remaining with the Canadiens, says Hockey Night in Canada's Don Cherry. (Paul J. Bereswill/Associated Press)Montreal Canadiens part-owner Geoff Molson and former head coach Guy Carbonneau support general manager Bob Gainey's decision to release tough guy Georges Laraque.
Carbonneau, who coached Laraque before being fired last March 9, told Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean on Saturday night it was time for the NHL team to part ways with Laraque.
"It's a tough way to go out for Georges but I think this situation needed to be dealt with," said Carbonneau, who joined HNIC in September.
"The Montreal Canadiens are fighting for a playoff spot and they don't need distractions. There's enough [pressure on players] here in [hockey-mad] Montreal without having that distraction in the room."
Molson, whose brothers Andrew and Justin are part of the team's ownership group, said he has full confidence in Gainey and head coach Jacques Martin's decision on Wednesday to send Laraque packing.
"They have my support," said Molson, adding it was more his dream to play for the Canadiens than own the club. "I always have the right to ask questions and understand the rationale of any decision that we make.
"But at the end of the day, I will not be stepping into those situations … when I know I've got real professionals doing the job."
Laraque, an 11-year veteran, voiced his concern about a lack of playing time last February and expected to be dealt prior to or at the March 4 trade deadline.
The next day, the Montreal native was singing a different tune, telling reporters he was happy being a Canadien and looked forward to fulfilling his three-year contract.
"I have a no-trade clause and I'm not waiving anything," the 33-year-old right-winger said at the time.
Carbonneau wasn't happy that Laraque chose to speak publicly about being a healthy scratch for two games, saying the matter should have been dealt with internally. The enforcer played sparingly for the Canadiens last season, largely due to problems with his lower back and groin.
"I think Bob [Gainey] brought him here last year for a purpose," Carbonneau said on Saturday. "I think Bob was really clear a couple of days ago. I heard him on the radio saying 'Georges had his agenda but it wasn't the same one as the Montreal Canadiens'.'
"I think he was here for a purpose, but I'm not sure he was willing to do that, game in and game out."
On Wednesday, Laraque announced on his website he was partnering with the NHL Players' Association and World Vision to raise money to put toward building a hospital in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
"I think [Laraque] saying he shouldn't even be here [in Montreal], [he] should be there [in Haiti], I think it kind of ticked [Gainey and Martin] off," HNIC personality Don Cherry chimed in following Montreal's 6-0 drubbing of the New York Rangers on Saturday night.
"Let's face it. He's only had four fights this year. You're going to say: 'Oh, he has to fight to stay on the team?" Cherry added, while looking at MacLean. "Yeah, he does. That's what they got him for.
"When you get over [age] 30 … you lose a little fire. And it's too bad because you know what I think of Laraque."
The Canadiens have won two big games since Laraque was let go, having won 3-1 at New Jersey on Friday. It's enough for Cherry to conclude he must have been a distraction.
Laraque appeared in 28 of the Canadiens' 51 games this season, collecting one goal, three points and 28 penalty minutes. He last played on Jan. 17 against the New York Rangers, when he saw three minutes 18 seconds of ice time.
Laraque is in the second year of a three-year, $4.5-million US contract.
Under NHL rules, his deal can be bought out after the season at a cost of two-thirds of its remaining value. The buyout is paid over twice the remaining length of the contract, reducing its impact on next season's salary cap.
With files from The Canadian Press
