Laraque signs with Montreal

Former Penguins enforcer Georges Laraque signed with the Canadiens. The deal is worth $4.5 million over three years and it includes a partial no-trade clause.

EN Says: The Habs haven't have a true enforcer for quite some time. Laraque's the best. He'll protect Alex Kovalev, Saku Koivu, Alex Tanguay and company. Games between the Canadiens and Penguins have been somewhat spirited in regards to the rough stuff the past few seasons. This should make things somewhat more interesting between the two teams this season.

The Penguins' decision to let go of Laraque is probably a tough one for Penguins fans to accept. But it makes sense. Eric Godard can do the same job at a much cheaper rate (three years, $2.25 million) Yeah, Godard isn't dominant like Laraque, but that doesn't really matter. No team ever won a game based on the outcome of a fight. The threat of having someone willing to drop the gloves is what really matters. Some would argue Godard is better than Laraque in that regard.

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