Big Georges is ready to Laraque 'n roll
Popular Oilers enforcer says he'll be at camp even without a contract
By ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI -- Edmonton Sun

Donald Brashear has found an unlikely ally in his stalled contract negotiations with the Vancouver Canucks. 

Georges Laraque. 

It might seem strange, considering Laraque wants to beat Brashear senseless every time he sees him and went so far as to call him a chicken in the papers last year, but the Oiler tough guy is in Brashear's corner when it comes to his latest battle. 

And why not? They both belong to the same union: The United Brotherhood of Leatherfaces and Nose-breakers. So if Brashear can further boost the pay scale for heavyweights who can play, Laraque is all for it. 

"You know how I feel about the guy,'' said Laraque yesterday. "We've had a lot of battles, but you have to look at the truth: whether you like him or not he brings respect to that team. And it's not just the fighting, he can play.'' 

Laraque looks at the $1.8 million US Bob Probert is taking home in Chicago and the $1.5 million US Tie Domi makes in Toronto and says Brashear belongs in the same neighborhood. 

"Look at it this way: Would you trade Brashear straight up for Probert? Or Domi? I think just about everybody would say yes.'' 

What's probably hurting Brashear's cause is his reluctance to fight. He only dropped the mitts about once every 10 games last season and avoided Laraque like kids avoid spinach. It was his refusal to give Marty McSorley a rematch that led to his being clubbed in the head late last season. 

Laraque still says he's worth it. 

"I guarantee that if Vancouver doesn't want him there will be a lot of other teams in the league who will take him and pay him $1.5 million.'' 

Laraque, meanwhile, is involved in some negotiations of his own. He's not quite in the Domi stratosphere yet, but he's trying.

GETTING MONEY'S WORTH 

He made $360,000 Cdn last season while establishing himself as one of the toughest - if not the toughest - enforcer in the league. He also proved that he's not without skill, chipping in a respectable eight goals, eight assists and a solid plus-five rating. His forechecking, on many nights, was worth the price of admission. 

So what's he worth? Well, the Oilers just picked up the option on tough guy Patrick Cote, who makes $550,000 US, so that might be a good place to start. 

"If it's for one year, then something around what Cote got,'' said Laraque, who's scheduled to arrive in Edmonton today and might be at the Clare Drake Arena summer conditioning camp by tomorrow. 

"If it was a two-year deal then it would have to be a little higher because I'd have arbitration next year.'' 

NO WORRIES 

There's still a week to go before training camp, plenty of time to work out a deal, but if it doesn't get done by next Thursday Laraque says he'll still take part. 

"I'll do like Ryan Smyth did last year and come to camp,'' he said. "But I don't know about the exhibition games.'' 

There are always way more fights in the pre-season as every up-and-coming gunslinger in the league tries to make a name for himself. Laraque knows a broken hand or wrist is just one helmet away. He'd like a contract before he gets into any rumbles. 

But he's definitely here for the practices. 

"I've seen what happens to the guys who don't come to camp. It takes them too many games to get going. If you miss training camp it's a big setback and you have to start all over again. There's no way you can be ready for your first game.'' 

Enforcer Laraque seems set to sign new two-year contract some time today

Robin Brownlee, Journal Hockey Writer
The Edmonton Journal

Georges Laraque will be on the ice with the Edmonton Oilers at training camp Friday and he'll be there with a new contract in his pocket, with time to spare. 
According to sources close to contract talks between the Oilers and agent Pat Morris, a new deal for Laraque is imminent -- barring a last-minute collapse in finalizing details, it will be signed, sealed and delivered today. 
It's expected Laraque and the Oilers will come to terms on a two-year deal for $1.5 million. 
"We've gone from initial stages to where it's starting to heat up," said Morris, who neither confirmed nor denied the new pact for Laraque was all but done. 
"I'm always hopeful, but I wouldn't want to characterize things at this point." 
Laraque, 23, earned $360,000 Cdn last season, making him one of the NHL's lowest-paid players. Allowing for exchange between the Canadian and U.S. dollars, only 10 players in the entire NHL made less than Laraque, according to NHL Players Association salary figures. 
The new deal, then, means that Laraque will triple his salary, if he opts for two years, as expected, and forgoes salary arbitration rights at the end of next season. 
"The Oilers need him in the lineup and they've had a good deal on Georges the last four years," said Morris, who did not negotiate Laraque's first pro contract. 
"Georges' first contract was so far below market value, it's astounding. Based on the time he's spent in the NHL and what he signed for, it probably cost him $1.2 million against the average of all other second-round picks." 
There is a possibility, sources say, Laraque and Morris will opt for a one-year deal at $700,000, then go to arbitration next summer, a less-likely scenario. 
If Laraque and Doug Weight sign their deals today as expected, Ryan Smyth will be the lone unsigned Oiler. Weight is expected to put the finishing touches on a one-year pact that will pay him $4.3 million, plus incentives, this season.

Bye, Georges?
Contract talks hit snags

By ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI -- Edmonton Sun

It was supposed to have been a done deal. 

Reports yesterday suggested Georges Laraque would be signed, sealed and delivered with plenty of time to spare before the first day of training camp. 

Well, somewhere between sealed and delivered the deal turned sour. So sour that by yesterday afternoon Laraque had packed up his equipment and pulled out of training camp. 

After driving to Sherwood Park to retrieve his gear he was threatening to board the next plane back to Montreal. 

Obviously talks clearly hadn't gone the way Laraque had anticipated - he felt Edmonton's opening offer was much too low - so he was gone. 

"When I talked to my agent everything seemed positive and it looked like things would be done before training camp,'' Laraque said yesterday afternoon. "The way he was talking there didn't seem to be any problem. Then I got (their offer) and it wasn't what I expected at all.'' 

He was expecting a two-year deal worth $1.5 million. It clearly wasn't what he got. 

So Laraque, who had been saying all along that he would be attending camp no matter what, packed up his gear and waited for instructions from his agent Pat Morris. 

Morris and Oiler assistant GM Scott Howson were negotiating well into last night. Before those negotiations began, Morris advised his client not to attend camp without a deal. 

"A player can insure himself for a career-ending injury,'' said Morris. "But what if he breaks his leg and is out for six months? Nobody is going to be sending him cheques then. So I always ask a team, 'What is your best irrevocable offer that you can't take off the table if something happens.' The answer I got back was very suspect, and very difficult to recommend to a player.'' 

STOCK ON THE RISE 

The Oilers aren't interested in a one-year deal, which is understandable because Laraque's stock is clearly on the rise and if he has a breakout year he could hit the motherlode in an arbitration hearing next summer. 

So the two sides are talking two- and three-year terms. Laraque would prefer two. The Oilers want three. 

"There's some distance between us on a two-year deal and their desire to have a three year deal means we're much further apart,'' said Morris. 

Winger Ryan Smyth is also without a contract and GM Kevin Lowe says it'll be a minor miracle if they get a deal done before this morning's session. 

"I would sense that that's the case,'' said Lowe. "So it'll probably boil down to whether or not he wants to come to camp. We've had that discussion and he didn't say one way or the other. I gave him my opinion on things and how we feel about it.'' 

If this were just about any other team in the league, it would be an open and shut case: No contract, no camp. 

The new, hardline policy around the rest of the NHL is to ban any player without a contract from attending camp. 

That won't be the case this year in Edmonton. 

"Our policy is that we'll allow them to come to camp,'' said Lowe, who doesn't think any other teams are letting unsigned players attend camp. "I've heard that Boston is going to start docking pay.'' 

The Oilers, however, have been hurt by holdouts and contract squabbles for years and don't want to go through it again this year, especially if the players in question want to be here. 

"We think it's productive and we feel everybody around here is professional enough to do what's most important, and what's most important is the Edmonton Oilers.'' 

THE DOOR IS OPEN 

So the door is open. Whether they show up is another question altogether. Lowe is hoping they do. 

"Ryan has been a very good Oiler and a very dedicated person all around. We just feel that Ryan's experience last year really benefited him and the hockey team. 

"I think it'll be an 11th-hour thing with Ryan. But I think he'll be raring to go.'' 

Smyth is represented by the same agency that represents Laraque. So he might be getting similar advice. 

Smyth said last night that Lowe and agent Don Meehan will meet early this morning in a last-ditch effort to make a deal. Smyth was undecided about showing up to camp without a contract. 

* Doug Weight made it official yesterday, agreeing to a one-year, $4.3-million contract. 

Sun readers probably got a big laugh out of the way TSN handled the story. They hit the airwaves with the "exclusive Weight scoop'' on Tuesday afternoon, claiming inside sources told him the deal was all but done. 

What those inside sources didn't tell them is that by Tuesday afternoon the story was old news. Both Edmonton papers had the deal in their Tuesday-morning editions, eight hours before the TSN exclusive, and the Sun even had quotes from Weight and Lowe confirming the agreement. 

Do they get the Internet in Toronto?

Laraque re-signs with Oilers

EDMONTON (CP) -- A day after agreeing to contract terms with Doug Weight, the Edmonton Oilers signed tough guy Georges Laraque to a three-year deal. 

"We're very happy to sign Georges to his new contract," said Oilers GM Kevin Lowe. "He is the kind of player every team loves to have." 

The 24-year-old right-winger was drafted by the Oilers 31st overall in 1995. In 76 games last season, he recorded eight goals and eight assists. 

Forward Ryan Smyth is the only Edmonton restricted free agent not under contract.

Laraque has 3-year deal

Journal Staff
The Edmonton Journal 
It took until nearly midnight, but Georges Laraque and the Edmonton Oilers got their deal done as expected Thursday. 
Laraque, 23, will be on the ice this morning at training camp after coming to terms on a new contract believed to be worth $2.7 million US over three years. 
The hang-up in bargaining was over the term, with agent Pat Morris favouring a two-year deal worth about $1.5 million while the Oilers wanted three years. 
Laraque, who earned $360,000 Cdn last season, got more money and the Oilers got the longer term.

Laraque soap opera comes to conclusion

By ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI -- Edmonton Sun

Georges Laraque's little soap opera came to a conclusion in the wee hours of yesterday morning when he and the Oilers agreed to a three-year, $2.6-million contract. 

He'll make $700,000 (US) this year, $900,000 next year and $1 million in the third year. 

Laraque pronounced the deal done on Thursday night, unfortunately he did so before he even saw Edmonton's opening offer. Once he actually saw the offer he threw a fit, packed his equipment out of the dressing room and threatened to run home to Montreal. All this after vowing to be in camp with or without a contract. 

It took a late-night bargaining session to get him signed. 

"I think we bought some security down the road,'' Lowe said of the long-term pact. 

"I think that in the past, what's hurt our hockey club is the fact that we creep along with one-year deals. Then if guys have good years it's hard to re-sign them.'' 

*There were no fights on the first day of camp, which suited head coach Craig MacTavish just fine. 

He thought things got a little ridiculous last season and didn't want guys duking it out for no reason. 

"I didn't want it to turn into a circus like last year,'' said MacTavish, who remembers how Bert Robertsson became a sitting duck as players lined up to take revenge on him from his days as a Canuck. 

"He wasn't the most popular guy, so there were about three guys who targetted him. 

'`I just think that we're all Edmonton Oilers and there's no reason to beat each other up. 

"If fights happen through good, aggressive hockey, they happen.''

Laraque gets chance on top line

EDMONTON (CP) -- Georges Laraque will get his chance to prove he's worth $2.6 million on Tuesday when he starts on the Oilers top line against his home-town team -- the Montreal Canadiens. 
 Laraque, who signed a deal earlier this month that will pay him $2.6 million US over the next three seasons, will hit the ice against the Habs playing the right wing on the first line with captain Doug Weight and Bill Guerin. 

 "It's perfect," Laraque told the Edmonton Journal. "I have worked hard and now I have my chance. It's up to me. 

 "I'm going to take it. I'm going to grab it and I'm going to keep it. They are leaving it up to me." 

 Coach Craig MacTavish's decision to put Laraque with Weight and Guerin isn't happenstance -- it's an audition. 

 "We're hoping Georges can log some more minutes and be given some more responsibility this year," MacTavish said. 

 "I think if that unit could work for us, it would be a big help to the hockey club." 

 "If I work hard and play like I can, then I can contribute on any line," said Laraque, who got some shifts on the top line last season, but didn't grab the job. 

 "I'm going to do what I have to do. I'll work in the corners, I'll look out for them and make sure they get the room they need."

Laraque's time to step up
Tough guy to be given a shot at playing on top line with Weight, Guerin against Montreal Tuesday
 

Robin Brownlee, Journal Hockey Writer
The Edmonton Journal 
 

The Edmonton Oilers delivered on their end of the bargain when general manager Kevin Lowe made Georges Laraque a millionaire Sept. 7. 

The time is coming for Laraque to keep his part of the deal, one which will pay him $2.6 million US over the next three seasons. 

There's no better place for the big man to start than Tuesday at the Molson Centre in Montreal. 

If Laraque wants to prove he's more than the toughest heavyweight in the NHL, and that he's more than a fourth-line player, as the Oilers think he can be, he couldn't possibly ask for a better opportunity than he will receive from coach Craig MacTavish against the Montreal Canadiens. 

Laraque will hit the ice against the Habs in his hometown playing the right wing on the first line with captain Doug Weight and Bill Guerin. 

Over to you, Georges. 

"It's perfect," said Laraque. "I have worked hard and now I have my chance. It's up to me. 

"I'm going to take it. I'm going to grab it and I'm going to keep it. They are leaving it up to me." 

Yes, they are -- MacTavish's decision to put Laraque with Weight and Guerin isn't happenstance. 

It's an audition. One in which Laraque can do his career and the Oilers a whole lot of good. 

"We're hoping Georges can log some more minutes and be given some more responsibility this year," MacTavish said. 

"I think if that unit could work for us, it would be a big help to the hockey club." 

When Lowe handed over that big stack of money to Laraque and agent Pat Morris, there were strings attached. 

Lowe said specifically then the new deal was a statement by the team, a show of faith in Laraque's ability to improve on the huge strides he has already made. 

"If I work hard and play like I can, then I can contribute on any line," said Laraque, who got some shifts on the top line last season, but didn't grab the job. 

"I'm going to do what I have to do. I'll work in the corners, I'll look out for them and make sure they get the room they need." 

Laraque, 23, has shown flashes of promise in the 126 NHL games he's played since the Oilers drafted him 31st overall in 1995 from St. Jean of the QMJHL. 

Laraque tallied 8-8-16, including his first career hat-trick, in limited time on a fourth line with Boyd Devereaux and Jim Dowd last season. 

Getting the next level in pay --$700,000 this season, $900,000 in 2001-02 and $1 million in year 3 -- means the next level in play. 

"It doesn't mean he's necessarily going to play with Billy and I all the time, but the coaches want Georges to broaden his abilities a bit," Weight said. 

"They want him to be able to play in different situations and on different lines. 

"He can do what he loves to do: make room for us, be a horse with the puck, take it to the net. We want him moving his feet and getting us the biscuit. 

"He's a good player who has really excelled in the last 12 months more than a lot of guys I've seen. I think all the coaches want is for him to continue to do that." 

With six exhibition games to play, the lineup MacTavish ices against the Habs Tuesday night will likely be considerably 

different when the puck drops against the Detroit Red Wings Oct. 6. 

But if Laraque belongs up on the first line, meaning 20 minutes of ice time a game instead of nine or 10, MacTavish says he won't 

hesitate to use him -- although it would be wildly optimistic to suggest he'll ride shotgun on the top line full time. 

"It's tough to get more than 12 or 13 minutes if you're not killing penalties or aren't on the power play very often," MacTavish said. 

"Having Georges there, and he's proven he can do it sporadically, if he could be consistent in that position, it would help us." 

That, starting Tuesday night, depends completely on big No. 27. 

"I will take this opportunity to prove that I can play with them," vowed Laraque. 

"Whether I stay with them or not, because we can have a lot of lineup changes, I will show I can. I know I can do it."

Punch first, talk later, Big Guy
Laraque needs to add more nastiness to his repetoire

Jim Matheson, Journal Hockey Writer
The Edmonton Journal .

Former Oiler tough guy Dave Semenko could teach current heavyweight Georges Laraque a thing or two about the fight game. 

Like sometimes you don't have to ask a guy if he wants to drop the gloves. You starting throwing 'em and ask questions later. 

Semenko never asked colourful Islanders' goalie Billy Smith to take his mask off after Smith high-sticked Semenko. 

He simply plowed an overhand right into Smith's forehead, hitting him so hard Smith's mask flew 20 feet into the air. 

"Who is that guy?" said Smith, who hadn't been following the young Semenko's fistic trail in the early '80s. 

Laraque could maybe skate around the rink with a sneer on his face like Bob Probert did in his heyday with Detroit, daring people to mess with him, too. 

But Laraque bristles at the suggestion that he's not doing his job here, in light of Denis Gauthier's elbow in Calgary on Saturday that knocked Doug Weight's helmet askew.

Laraque gave Gauthier, a tough kid but not a big scrapper, a face-wash later, but he didn't fire two or three punches into his face as a wakeup call. 

Laraque wasn't on the ice when Calgary rookie Ronald Petrovicky boxed Weight's ears at the end of long Weight shift, but in the Semenko days, all hell would have broken loose if anybody went near No. 99. 

So what gives? 

"Dougie said himself he would have done fine if he wasn't tired (in the fight),'' said Laraque. "When I play, I have to make sure the tough guy on the other team doesn't bother us. I don't think (Wade) Belak did anything.''

Laraque knows that Semenko didn't always ask permission to drop the gloves. He played like he had a chip on his shoulder on an awful lot of nights and people stayed out of his way. 

Nobody's too crazy about messing with Laraque, either, but he goes about his business differently than Semenko did. 

"These days, if you punch somebody in the face (without both guys willing), you can get a suspension," Laraque explained. "I'm worried about that. I'm very careful about that. You don't want to get a suspension and maybe have your team miss the playoffs by a game. 

"And the other thing is, I want respect in this league. I don't want to be known as a cheap guy. If you're a tough guy and you always go with the other guy when he's willing and ready, that's the right way. 

"I know sometimes, I go up to people and they don't want to fight me. But I don't think I have to start punching. Just the fact (that) I go up to somebody, they know they better watch out. They better be thinking about me. 

"I mean, have we had any trouble with our team being abused? Other than a couple of years ago when Rob Ray picked on somebody, can you think of another time when Dougie (Weight) or Bill Guerin were involved in fights? 

"I don't shy away from anything; I'm just afraid of getting penalties (suspensions). I want to be respected, too. I've never gone at a guy who wasn't ready. I don't jump guys. I always have my sweater tied down.'' 

Oilers coach Craig MacTavish has no problems with Laraque's fistic game plan. 

"What frustrates a lot of people is Georges plays the game with a lot of honour,'' said MacTavish. "I don't view that as a negative. He's respectful of players. He's not going to do something dirty to incite a riot. That's OK with me.'' 

Apart from Laraque's fight card, he hasn't played as strongly in pre-season as the Oilers' brass had hoped. 

He'll start on the fourth line with Chad Kilger and Dan LaCouture, just where he finished last year with Jim Dowd and Boyd Devereaux. 

Laraque is not one of the top nine forwards yet. Part of that is the great play of the Hamilton Bulldogs line of Dan Cleary, Brian Swanson and Michel Riesen, who've been the No. 2 line throughout pre-season. 

That said, Laraque has carried the puck up the ice too much in pre-season, maybe trying to justify his new $2.6-million contract. 

But, nobody's too surprised at that. 

"Georges is approaching the game a little more professionally than he has," said MacTavish. "There has to be improvement in focus in games and practice. But it's maturity. He's not much different from any other young player.''

'Now it's really scary'
Oiler enforcer foresees problems
By MARIO ANNICCHIARICO -- Edmonton Sun

 Shock and amazement was the common reaction surrounding Marty McSorley's guilty verdict out of Vancouver yesterday.

 "I'm very surprised," said Edmonton Oilers enforcer Georges Laraque of the outcome. 

 "Especially after Glen Sather and Wayne Gretzky travelled there to show their support for him. 

 "Even Brashear himself didn't want this to happen," he added of McSorley's assault victim Donald Brashear of the Vancouver Canucks. 

 Laraque, like most NHLers, could not believe the trial actually got to court and now questions the ramifications the guilty verdict brings. 

 "Now that this has happened, will they step in every time something happens in the NHL?" he said of law authorities. 

 "I know how bad the incident was, it was not a joke. But now it's really scary. 

 "What if I get involved in a fight and someone gets carried away?" Laraque asked. 

 "Now, as a tough guy, you have to be very careful. This is something you'll be more aware of and think about." 

 And as far as Laraque is concerned it never should have come to this. "I thought the league handled it well and I thought the suspension was fine," he said of McSorley's 23-game NHL ban handed out by commissioner Gary Bettman. 

 "This went too far. 

 "It was a league matter and it should have stayed a league matter. All the NHL's disciplinary people did their job and every league has its own way to punish its people. It should stay that way." 

 Laraque wasn't alone in his thinking. Detroit Red Wings veterans echoed the Oiler enforcer's sentiments. 

 "I was surprised it went to the courts and I didn't think it would come back as a guilty verdict," said Kris Draper, a recipient of an ugly Claude Lemieux crosscheck a few seasons back. 

 "I think that Bettman did step up and give him a severe penalty. I think a lot of people in our league think that that's what we want to happen, we want the league to take care of the things that happen on the ice, not the courts." 

 Teammate Brent Gilchrist was of the same opinion. 

 "I guess if you read the letter of the law, the judge made a decision that is probably correct in that sense," said the former Oiler. 

 "But I guess it worries all the players that the law would be involved in something that happened on the ice." 

Signs of a shuffle
By MARIO ANNICCHIARICO -- Edmonton Sun

Balanced scoring. Every NHL team wants it. So few have it and it's a constant battle to find it. 

The Edmonton Oilers are no different, and after eight games of virtually relying on the No. 1 unit to provide most of the finish, coach Craig MacTavish may have to start juggling to secure it. 

Not a major overhaul, but a minor tweak. 

In fact you witnessed some of it in Thursday night's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Shifting Georges Laraque to the top line and sliding Ryan Smyth down to flank Brian Swanson and Daniel Cleary opened up some options for MacTavish. 

"It's a concern," confessed the Oilers head coach, who has watched Weight, Guerin and Smyth connect for half the team's 24-goal total. "But I think when Ethan (Moreau) gets back that's going to give us an opportunity to give ourselves an increased production in our second or third line, whatever you want to call it." 

In the meantime, he'll waste little time shuffling Laraque onto the right side with Weight and Guerin. 

The big lug proved he can handle it as well, turning in a solid outing Thursday after the Leafs had shut down the original unit in the opening 20 minutes. 

"If Georges plays the way he did last game ... The moves that he made and some of the passes that he made offensively were incredible," bubbled MacTavish. "Hopefully he'll continue to do that, and if he does, he'll continue to play and play lots." 

MORE THAN AVERAGE 

For those counting, it was 11:05 of ice time against the Leafs, more than two minutes higher than his average coming in. 

"It's easier for me to play that way because it gets me more into the flow," admitted the Oilers winger, who spelled off Smyth. "Your legs get going, you're more warmed up and ready. 

"I really want to play, too, so when I get out there I make sure I do whatever I can to make sure I get out there even more. I'm just trying to do my best and be like last year where I can be a presence every shift." 

He had a great chance early when the six-foot-four, 250-pounder dipsydoodled - if you can imagine such a behemoth dipsydoodling, that is - his way around the Leafs defence, only to be stopped by Curtis Joseph. 

"I wanted to score so bad and I don't want to have to wait 20 games to get my first one," said Laraque, who is one of seven Oilers without a regular-season tally. 

"He made a great save. I wanted to crush him when he did that," laughed Laraque. "When you make a nice move like that it always goes in. Check the highlight reels - it's always a nice move then a beautiful goal that goes in. Mine didn't. 

"But he played an unbelievable game, Cujo did. There were lots of times where he didn't even know where the puck was, though. If one or two could have gone in ... " 

They didn't though, in a 4-1 loss, but Laraque's abilities at least gave MacTavish an option to work with the second unit, which was the biggest concern coming into the season. 

Although not a liability defensively, the Bulldog line has only produced three goals. Two from Cleary and one by Swanson, while Michel Riesen still searches for his first. 

But at what cost can MacTavish keep that line intact, especially with teams focusing on Weight? 

A SLOW START 

Smyth gave the second line some life as Riesen battles his way through a slow start after a great pre-season. 

"And Georges played really well with us, too," stressed Weight. "What you saw was Smytty really gave a spark to Danny and Swanny. They went out there and had two or three great shifts right after us. In hindsight it didn't change the game, but it changed the game at that moment. Georgie certainly fit in well." 

His muscle also made Leafs defencemen Cory Cross and Tomas Kaberle, who hounded Weight in the opening 20 minutes, think twice. And Laraque was more than willing to make the change. 

"You can't win every night with just your first line. It's not going to happen. Against Boston every line scored a goal," said Laraque of the 6-1 Oilers victory last week. "But that wasn't a good example because their goalies were struggling. 

"Most games we're going to need production from every line because the first line can't have that pressure where they have to score or we're going to lose." 

Weight was in total agreement.

"Definitely, we're going to need scoring from everyone to be successful, especially on the road. 

"You get keyed on, on the road. They get the defensive pairs they want on the ice and it makes it a little bit more difficult to score. Although you love the challenge, it's important to have contributions from all four lines," he said. 

Tonight, against Phoenix, would be a great place to start. 

EDMONTON -- Edmonton Oilers tough guy Georges Laraque's latest hit was a costly one. Laraque's $100,000 BMW collided with a motorcyclist Saturday as he pulled into the Edmonton Sun's offices for a photo shoot. 

“It's not a good day at all,” said the beefy 250-pound Laraque as he poked his sneaker at the dangling front bumper on his sparkling silver Beamer moments after the 1:30 p.m. wreck.

The cyclist, whose speed-bike suffered little damage, was treated for “very minor scrapes” at the Grey Nuns hospital and released, said police Const. Scott Carter. 

No charges will be laid.

Laraque posed with a Sun photographer's newborn boy during the photo shoot. 

Laraque said his only other traffic mishap was back in 1995 when a deer burst into his path as he drove his Jimmy along a darkened highway in Quebec.

The Montreal native was making arrangements with his insurance company for repairs and managed to get his Beamer into a body shop Saturday night.

Laraque signed a three-year, $2.6-million US contract with the Oilers last month. 

EDMONTON (CP) - Georges Laraque was so embarrassed about missing an open net he made sure to bury his next chance. Laraque scored the game-tying goal at 13:48 of the third period as the Edmonton Oilers rallied from a three-goal deficit to tie the Phoenix Coyotes 3-3 on Sunday. 

The Oilers tough guy had missed an empty net, but he retrieved the puck, skated around the back of the goal, and beat rookie goaltender Robert Esche up high for his first of the year. 

"Bill (Guerin) gave me a great pass, and it surprised me, that's why I missed (the first shot)," said Laraque, who scored his first of the season. 

"I didn't have time to be disappointed. It was embarrassing - I could have tied it right there. I took the puck around the net and for one time, I shot the puck instead of passing. It was a big relief for me." 

First-period goals by Keith Tkachuk and Travis Green and a second-period score by Jeremy Roenick had given Phoenix a 3-0 lead. 

But cue the high-flying Oilers, who continued their strong early season play. 

Ryan Smyth scored at 11:37 of the second to cut the lead to 3-1. It was his fifth of the year. 

Jason Smith scored at 5:40 of the third to make it 3-2 and Laraque tied it 8:08 later. 

"It was a scrappy finish," said Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish. "Early on, we didn't get a lot going, but neither did they, in terms of pressuring our net." 

Oil spills (exerpts from the article)

Jim Matheson
The Edmonton Journal 

Three Stars 

1. Ryan Smyth. Took the game over midway through with his kamakaze style. 

2. Jeremy Roenick. Assist No. 500 and a bullet past Tommy Salo. 

3. Georges Laraque. This guy's tougher to move than a Skyreach crane. 

Why They Tied: 

Because they wore down the Coyotes, who were playing their second game in 23 hours after an OT win Saturday in Vancouver. Both sides took the point, for different reasons. Phoenix for hanging on, the Oilers from coming back from 3-zip down. 

They Said It: 

"Did I get an assist, too?'' 

-- Jason Smith, whose shot past Phoenix rookie Robert Esche to make it 3-2 was first credited to Ryan Smyth on a tip, then Daniel Cleary after a look at the game tape. Upon further review it was given to Smith -- his first goal in 34 games. 

"Four-on-four? Playing in overtime? Next year.'' 

-- Laraque on when he'll know he's really arrived as a scoring threat. 

Stick a Flag on This Fellow:

What's it like trying to negotiate around Laraque? "Ever tried moving a mountain?'' said Phoenix coach Bob Francis. "Every time the Oilers want to change the momentum, they throw out the big guy. They either get a chance to score or he makes a big hit.'' Laraque was thrilled with his ice time. "Over 16 minutes. That's my NHL high.'' He averaged eight minutes last year and was at 9:10 going into this game. The only thing Laraque didn't like was all the mugging he took, but he's getting used to it. "I've always got somebody's stick in my back. I'm going to start going down (to maybe draw a penalty).'' There are two sets of rules. Checking mere mortals, and checking the 250-pound Laraque. "It's like referees feel sorry for the guys trying to check him,'' said one fan, leaving the building. 

Game-tying goal puts smile back on Laraque's face

By DAN BARNES - Edmonton Sun

The Oilers want Georges Laraque to drive to the net more.

Better not let him do it in his car.

The fourth-line grinder/first-line winger/enforcer walked into Skyreach Centre on Sunday morning with a heavy heart.  The big goofy smile was AWOL.  The kid was obviously troubled and his Oiler teammates, at lease those who don't subscribe to that other newspaper in the city, wanted to know why.

So, rather than explain it 20 different times, Laraque grabbed a piece of chalk and whipped up a schematic of the Saturday automobile accident that earned the team's most popular player yet another 15 minutes of fame as Georges La Wreck.  His car had tangled with a motorbike and it was front-page news.

Hours later, his third-period goal was a far bigger story in the Oiler room.  They had trailed the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0 and looked like another accident waiting to happen.  Laraque's goal gave them a 3-3 draw.

"Yesterday was the worst day of my life, today was one of the best.  What a contrast," he said.  "It was a hard day for me to get over it.  Nobody's fault.  Bad luck.  It was almost like a lightning strike from the sky.

"I get here today and score that goal; it feels like the hat trick."

The sheer joy of it was written all over his face, just as it had been on Feb. 21 when he scored three times against Los Angeles.  He pumped his arms and jumped into a huddle with his linemates.  It was Laraque's first goal of the season, even more reason to paste that smile back in its rightful place.

"I'm always joking around when the atmosphere is tense.  When I get on the ice I'm serious but in the dressing room I like to be the clown.  Today when I came in I wasn't in a mood to joke around and the guys all wanted to know what was wrong.  So I diagrammed it on the board."

Laraque is truly a study in contrast.  He's a kid in a big man's body.  He's a fourth-line plugger some nights, a first-line scoring threat on others, occasionally both in the same game.  He's a practical joker with a thoughtful, serious take on life that is sometimes lost as he plows his way through the English language.

Whatever the role, it is impossible not to notice him.  He's an imposing physical specimen who augments that feature with a never-ending stream of verbiage.  He is, in the words of Bill Guerin, a character.

"He's a great guy but Georges will be the first one to tell you, we've got to put him in his place," smiled Guerin.

Just as soon as they figure out where it is.  Or better yet, where he shows them it should be, once and for all.  Laraque started Sunday's game on the fourth line, finished on the first, played 16 minutes, controlled the puck for a goodly portion of that and earned third-star status with a sniper shot to the top corner.

But through five minutes of overtime, there was Laraque on the bench.  Coach Craig MacTavish simply can't trust him yet in a four-on-four environment.  Too much room to move.  He's better in the corner with a Coyote or two draped over him, muscling down the boards, or, as he's developing, toward the net.

"He's getting better every year.  Getting better in terms of his commitment to learning the game and approaching the game professionally.  He's really just scratching the surface on the type of player he can be," said MacTavish.  "His confidence is growing offensively.  He's starting to make open-ice plays."

When he makes them with Chad Kilger and Dan LaCouture on the fourth line, they are often benign.  When he makes them with Guerin and Doug Weight, they can be golden.

"He's got some great upside," said Ryan Smyth, the man who moves off the first line when Laraque jumps up.  "He's very strong and skilled at holding the puck.  He can get more goals.  I try to talk to him during games and during practices.  "Take it to the net.  You can't score from behind the net."

Laraque's goal came from neither in front nor behind the Phoenix cage.  Guerin had dished him a sitter in the slot and Laraque had pounded it wide in true ham-fisted fashion.

"He surprised me.  But I didn't have time to be disappointed."

Instead, he grabbed the puck behind the net, held off Teppo Numminen until he reached the faceoff circle and wired a laser over a crouching Robert Esche.

"You know, you work so hard to tie it up," said Laraque.

"There's not much time left.  That was just huge.  When that happened it was like prize, just like a gift for all the work we did together."

You could call the Oilers a blended family
By TERRY JONES -- Edmonton Sun

Mike Grier walked into a mass of media on his way to the ice for a practice at West Edmonton Mall. 

"Wrong guy, boys. Wrong guy,'' he said. 

Georges Laraque was stopped and asked what he knew about Anson Carter. 

"Only thing I know is that he's black. 

"We lead the league in that department now, don't we? We're starting to look like a football team.'' 

On location, with no prior knowledge of any trade, was an ESPN crew shooting interview footage for a special called Black Ice to be run in February during Black History Month. There are 14 blacks in the NHL. With Carter's arrival, the Oilers now have five - Grier, Laraque, Carter, Sean Brown and Joaquin Gage. 

Five guys? 

"I'm not going to change,'' said Carter. "I'm staying black.'' 

Well, then, if you're sure you're not going to change, then five it is. And there you have your first clue he's going to fit in here. 

SOME HISTORY

The Oilers already have some history in this area. One of the great trivia questions in hockey before Kevin Weekes came along was this: 

There have been five black goalies in NHL history and they all played for the same team. What was the team and who were the goalies? 

Answer: The Oilers. Grant Fuhr. Pokey Reddick. Fred Brathwaite. Gage. And Darren Beals. The latter was an Oiler draft who was brought up to sit on the bench for three games. 

Five guys all at once? 

"People are probably going to notice,'' said Laraque. 

"Five black guys on one team is going to draw a lot of attention. And that's good. This is going to be the favourite hockey club of a lot of black kids. We're going to be an example to a lot of kids. We're going to generate a lot of publicity for the game.'' 

And for Edmonton. This city has developed a pretty good reputation as far as racial harmony goes. 

"He hasn't asked me, but if he has any questions, I'll tell him I've had nothing but positive experiences here, with my teammates, with management and with the people in the city,'' said Grier of Carter. "I'll tell him he can be successful and have a lot of fun here.'' 

Carter is going to take a lot more grief from the fans for that stupid-looking helmet he wears than for his dreadlocks. Which is good. He can restrict himself to worrying about being Bill Guerin. 

Well-spoken and soft-spoken, Carter made an excellent first impression when he met the media after skating with Doug Weight and Ryan Smyth at practice. 

"I realize Bill Guerin was a big part of this hockey club and I was really nervous about coming into the room and being accepted by the guys. But so far it's been great,'' he said. 

"I'm not sure what to say. Bill Guerin was a leader on this club. I don't want to think of it as coming here to fill his shoes or take his place.'' 

That said, he said he agreed with Kevin Lowe's statement that he expects him to be a 30-goal scorer now. 

"I think so,'' he said. 

Carter has known for a week that he could be headed to Edmonton.

"I was really excited. I didn't want to get too excited because there had been so many false alarms. I knew Edmonton was a good young team with a lot of young forwards and a great leader in Doug Weight. My parents in Toronto are excited. They'll get to see a lot more of me on TV. 

"Boston is a great hockey town. But Edmonton ... its past speaks for itself. And there's a great hockey atmosphere here.'' 

HE'LL BE NERVOUS 

Carter doesn't think he'll look as rusty as some might expect tonight against the Blackhawks. But he figures he's going to be more nervous than he's ever been. 

"I was just glad to get this practice out of the way. I'm a little nervous coming in. I just want to fit in. 

"I have an opportunity to play on a good line on a good young team. It's up to me to make the most of it.'' 

If he doesn't, they might make him play on a line with Mike Grier and Georges Laraque. That might be taking it too far. 

A fearsome one-two combination
Laraque and Cote arguably the NHL's most intimidating heavyweight pair

Curtis Stock, Journal Staff Writer
The Edmonton Journal 

Photographer Ian Jackson, The Journal / Caption: As junior hockey rivals in Quebec, bruisers Georges Laraque, right, and Patrick Cote racked up scoring points as well as penalty minutes. Becoming the best of friends along the way, they made good on their joint vow to make it into the NHL -- and now they both suit up for the Edmonton Oilers.
 

Article: 
They are brothers in arms. And fists as well. 

Georges Laraque and Patrick Cote, the Edmonton Oilers' heavyweight tag team, are inseparable. Eat together. Watch movies together. Laugh together. And certainly, if need be, stand up and fight for one another. 

Although they have been teammates for less than a quarter of a season, that bond has been there since they met seven years ago. In a fight, of course. 

"Georges was the tough guy for St. Jean in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. I was the tough guy for Beauport," said Cote. "Georges was killing everybody else. He had just knocked out the last two guys he had fought. I knew that the first time we played each other that I had to go with him." 

That fight, they both insist, was a draw. But it drew them together. "From that day on we've been best friends." 

The next summer, still two struggling juniors, they had the same agent, Fred Simpson. 

"We were the only two players he had," said Laraque. "Nobody knew who we were; nobody else thought we would even get drafted." 

So the two made a pact, vowing to beat the odds and the disbelievers; vowing to make it in the NHL. 

In the off-season they began working out together. Laraque would make the 15-minute drive from his home in Laval, Que., to Cote's place on the south shore of Montreal, or vice versa. 

The next year, the 1994-95 season, their hard work paid off. Cote scored 40 points in 56 games while still racking up 314 minutes in penalties. Laraque got 41 points in 61 games, as well as 259 penalty minutes. 

By then, everybody in hockey circles knew their names. At the 1995 NHL draft -- in Edmonton -- Laraque was taken by the Oilers with their second pick, 31st overall; Cote went right behind, selected 37th overall by the Dallas Stars. 

Laraque went back to junior for another year, and then to Hamilton of the American Hockey League. Cote went to Michigan of the International Hockey League. 

But they always stayed in touch. 

"After one of us got into a fight we'd be on the phone that night," said Laraque. 

"Just to give the other guy a tip in case he should run up against the guy we had fought. Just so we'd know what to expect. So there would be no surprises. If the guy was tough. If he just wrestled. Or if he led with his left or right hand." 

This past summer they were united -- for the first time in the same uniform -- when the Oilers acquired Cote's rights from Nashville. 

The bond has only grown stronger. 

"They build from one another," said Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish. "That type of relationship between teammates always helps. 

"I'm sure they talk about their matchups every night. What they are going to do, and who they are going to do it with." 

You bet they do. Like this past week against the St. Louis Blues. 

"St. Louis plays a very physical game," said Laraque. "So we talked about it. We were going to set the tempo before they did." 

"I was getting Reid Simpson," said Cote. "Georges was getting Reed Low." 

It wasn't Cote's first choice; they both wanted Low. 

So, to settle things, Cote and Laraque -- two, big strapping wingers -- sat in the dressing room and, like little kids, played Rock, Scissors and Paper. 

Cote chose paper; Laraque took scissors. Scissors cut paper and Laraque -- a minute into the game -- cut up Low. Two minutes later, Cote took on Simpson. 

"I don't believe in fighting just for show," said Laraque. "There has to be a purpose. Fighting keeps everybody honest. After the two fights against St. Louis, it was all just hockey." 

MacTavish will tell you that Cote's presence has freed Laraque to play the game on a much higher level. Laraque will tell you the same. 

"Now we have two of the toughest guys in the league," said Laraque. 

"When Pat is in the lineup he creates respect because everybody is afraid of him. Just having him there, neither of us has to fight as much. When we are both in the lineup, people know what to expect." 

Laraque and Cote had been playing on the same line together. But, if Saturday's practice session was any indication, Laraque will play against Calgary tonight on the third line with Ethan Moreau and Domenic Pittis; Cote will be on the fourth line, probably with Chad Kilger and Dan Cleary. 

"Now they really can't mess with us," said Laraque. "Now it's two lines. 

"With us, anybody we fight with knows we are not going to pull the chute. We are going for the kill. And we'll be back."

Straight talk
Columbus beat itself, says coach Dave King
By ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI -- Edmonton Sun

**Note: This is just an exerpt from the last part of the above article.

MEETING A CHALLENGE: It's rare that somebody up and challenges Georges Laraque to a tussle, but veteran Lyle Odelein did just that last night. 

 Looking to change the momentum, Odelein called out Laraque late in the second period. 

 "He didn't have a problem with that, he just said we'll go at the start of the third and that's what happened," Odelein said. 

 "He's honest. He's probably the best in the league at it. 

 "If you ask him he's more than willing.'' 

Laraque wants to do some dancin'
BY ROBIN BROWNLEE -- Edmonton Sun

 Just beat him up, Georges! 

 Such will be the cry from the cheap seats when the San Jose Sharks come calling at Skyreach Centre tonight, and if bending Bryan Marchment's nose closer to his right cheekbone was all that mattered, Georges Laraque would be in for an easy time of it. 

 The Edmonton Oilers tough guy would simply drop his gloves at the first opportunity and make Marchment pay for taking a run at captain Doug Weight with a knee-on-knee hit five minutes into a game in San Jose Dec. 28 and that would be that. Mashed Mush. Mangled Mush. Message sent. Amount paid in full. 

 But it's not and he isn't. 

 "If I've got a chance, the thing I'd love is Marchment to take it like a man and the first faceoff we'd go," Laraque said. "We'd go and it's over with. He'd take his lumps." 

 Those calling for Marchment's blood tonight will get it if Laraque has his way. But not if it means defying coach Craig MacTavish, who met with Laraque yesterday. 

 And not at the expense of the two points on the table as the Oilers and Sharks play a crucial home-and-home series in the next 72 hours that could go a long way in deciding Western Conference standings. Two-five-and-10 for a jump job? No way. 

 "Georges would like nothing more than to take two and five on Bryan Marchment," MacTavish said. "He comes to me and asks me if he can. He wants to do it, but he's also smart enough to know he doesn't want to put the team in jeopardy by doing it. 

 "For all Bryan Marchment's faults in our eyes, he's pretty savvy and he's not going to get drawn into something like that on somebody else's terms." 

 MacTavish kept Laraque on the bench for most of the final 55 minutes of the 2-2 tie in San Jose, and with the Oilers six points behind the Sharks, he isn't about to kiss off four points just so his tough guy can add more bumps to Marchment's knotted mug. 

 Said MacTavish: "If Georges is sitting there with two and five and Marchment gets nothing and we lose the game 3-2, are we talking about how tough and how brave the Oilers are or how stupid they are to get involved in something like that?" 

 It's unlikely Marchment will oblige Laraque tonight. While he's never made excuses for the way he plays and never cried when he's been made to answer for his knee-shredding ways, he would take a beating he'd never forget. 

 Even if Mush wants to go, what if San Jose coach Darryl Sutter has other ideas? What if he puts the collar on? The last thing Sutter needs, with the Sharks winless in four games at 0-3-1, is a bloodied Marchment and a fired-up Oil bench early. 

 "Everybody knows if I'm on the ice against him, I'm going to try to do something," Laraque said.

 "But I can't jump him. If I get two and five minutes and we lose the game, what are you guys going to say after that? 'Look at Laraque and what he did. He's stupid.' " 

 TOUGHEST MAN, TOUGHEST JOB 

 Laraque, 24, is the NHL's toughest man in the NHL's toughest job, but he has been criticized at times for how he's gone about his business, for not being enough of a bully, for refusing to jump players for their indiscretions, real and perceived. 

 Some of that criticism has been legit. Most has been laughable. 

 "No. Not one bit," said Oilers GM Kevin Lowe, asked if the perception by some Laraque is reluctant to do his job has any merit. "Georges fully recognizes nobody messes around with anybody. 

 "The thing I'd like to see in Georges' game is for him to recognize how much of an impact he can have, to be able to set the tone. 

 '`There are nights when we need a guy like that, nights when the emotional tone hasn't been set. He's got to be one of the guys, I'm not saying the only guy, who has to show some leadership." 

 Since word about Laraque got around the league a couple of years ago after he beat the daylights out of Rob Ray in Buffalo, his biggest challenge is finding ways to impose his physical will against opponents unwilling to engage him. 

 Truth is, most tough guys want no part of Laraque. He's manhandled the likes of Tie Domi, Bob Probert, Stu Grimson, Sandy McCarthy and Wade Belak. 

 Other hammers, like Scott Parker and Donald Brashear, want nothing to do with him. Some coaches have instructed their players not to engage Laraque. They say, "No thanks" and hope he loses interest. 

 GETTING BEYOND IT 

 "He's got to get beyond challenging all the other tough guys because he's beaten everybody up," Lowe said. "Now, I'd rather start seeing him lay a licking on the other team's stars now. That's what I'd like to see him do. 

 "I'm not only talking about fighting. I'm talking about that emotional tone ... Georges is a young guy, but he has to recognize that, recognize how he can come out and be a physical force. 

 "I'm talking hitting, being a wrecking machine, taking the puck to the net. You run over the goalie, run over the defenceman, run over the net. Make a statement that 'you're going to have your hands full with me' and the team tonight." 

 Sometimes, Lowe says, unwillingness shouldn't matter - an extra two minutes for instigating a fight can be worth the message delivered. Sometimes, it's not. 

 "You've got to recognize the instigating (penalty), the time of the game. There's a lot of things to calculate when you're doing it," Lowe said. "Once in awhile, as we used to say, the team has to kill one for you." 

 Maybe that time, Marchment willing, is tonight. Maybe that emotional tone Lowe is talking about comes about another way. One way or another, though, it has to come. 

 "The best thing is if he wants to get it over with and he says, 'Let's go.' That's what I want," Laraque said. "Then it's over with and we play the game. 

 "If he doesn't want anything to do with me, then I have to go out there and hit. I will hit people hard. I'm going to put myself in a position to do that." 

 Laraque wants to be the story tonight, but that storyline might not include Marchment, even if that's what those in the cheap seats are yelling for.

 "They will have to react to me," Laraque said.

It wouldn't blow over
Oilers versus Sharks: Two teams in tieland
By TERRY JONES -- Edmonton Sun

 The Marchment vs. Laraque tango had to happen. And although it wasn't much, when it was over 'Mush' was getting credit for dancin' with the heavyweight champ as Laraque said 

 'He called out on the bench. He was ready for it. He said, `Let's go!' 

 The day started with Georges Laraque and the Oilers' brain trust giving his excuse makers a shopping list of reasons why No. 27 shouldn't fight Bryan Marchment last night. 

 It was exactly 2:09 into the game when Marchment stepped on the ice. 

 "Booooooo!'' 

 Nine seconds later he touched the puck. 

 "Booooooo!'' 

 Sometimes there's just no getting around it. Old-time hockey has to happen. 

 With Don Cherry questioning his manhood on Hockey Night In Canada's Coaches Corner after Marchment was left untouched and unpunished when he scoped Doug Weight's knee, Laraque had been called out in public. 

 Others, such as myself, were more concerned with Laraque forgetting his role not just when it came to fighting but hitting and hurting and making a physical impact - whichever way it has to be. 

 The fans at Skyreach Centre, who used to give the big palooka their loudest cheers, were not dialling up the fan-o-metre like they'd been before. 

 The fans on the openline shows have been making Laraque a constant topic of conversation. 

 San Jose in town ... 

 At 5:57 of the first period, in front of the Oilers bench, it happened. 

 Laraque vs. Marchment. 

 It wasn't the Thrilla in Manila or even the Rumble in the Jungle. It wasn't a good fight. And you want a good fight. 

 But it was a fight. It was Laraque vs. Marchment. 

 It had to happen because Georges Laraque knew it had to happen and because Bryan Marchment knew it had to happen. And sitting up in the press box, Dave Semenko knew it had to happen. 

 PERFECT WAY TO HANDLE IT 

 "I'm glad to see him do it without letting the team down,'' said Semenko after it was over and the Oilers got on with what turned out to be a 2-2 tie. 

 "It was the perfect way to handle it. If it has to be done ...' 

 Exactly. 

 And don't make the mistake of ignoring Bryan Marchment's part in Laraque's third fight in the last 27 games. 

 "Mush is a smart guy,'' said Semenko. 

 "He dropped the gloves for Georges. Give him credit. 

 "The thing with Mush is that he's going to play that way no matter what. He's got his pride, too. He knows the lay of the land. I've seen him go against Bob Probert. There are a lot of guys who play like that who have not backed it up at any time.'' 

 Indeed, said Sharks coach Darryl Sutter. 

 "That was great,'' he said of the way Marchment handled himself. 

 "He's a leader. And that's a special skill he has,'' he added of knowing how to read more than a guy with his head down at the blueline, but the scenario around a hockey game. 

 "He did a good job. He knew that Georges wanted to go. Both teams knew it was going to happen. Both teams expected it. It's part of the game. I think both teams knew it wasn't going to affect the game.'' 

 Mush, for his part, was as confrontational after the game, spitting out phrases like "Don Cherry or whatever his name is'' and "Nick Kypreos'' and "trying to turn this into WWF.'' 

 After that little video clip, he faced the straight questions. 

 "I never ran away from a fight in my life,'' he said. 

 PROBERT IN HIS PRIME 

 Like the one, I suggested, against Probert in his prime. 

 "Bob Probert was no big deal. My older brother Wayne was tougher than anybody in the league and I scrapped against him every day.'' 

 Laraque said there may have been a 'Stop' sign on him from coach Craig MacTavish that night in San Jose but GM Kevin Lowe and MacT didn't have the stop sign on him last night. 

 "I wanted to in San Jose,'' he said of going after Marchment after the Weight incident. "I wanted to do it and they wouldn't let me. 

 "Tonight they let me. They told me, OK.. They just said, 'Be careful of penalties.' '' 

 Laraque called Marchment a quote-unquote gentleman. 

 "I was surprised he was ready for it and he was a gentleman. I have a lot of respect for Bryan. 

 "He's a tough guy. And he knows the code. 

 "He called out on the bench. He was ready for it. He said, 'Let's go!' 

 As for himself, Laraque said he knew it was going to happen. You could see this fight coming from a long way away. 

 "It was important for me to get my business done in the beginning.'' 

 Lowe said it's part of the process. 

 "Georges is learning to be savvy out there,'' he said. 

"Dickson Robin coaches the Mighty Flyers, a local team of six- and seven-year-olds in Saskatoon's Novice Initiation Advanced Division. At the beginning of the season, the team began to make plans to host its own tournament in November.

In order to raise funds for this and other team events, the team decided to hold a silent auction. Coach Robin had already obtained sticks from a couple of his acquaintances, Rich Pilon of the New York Rangers and Mel Angelstad of the Manitoba Moose.

In an effort to add other hockey items of interest to the auction table, Robin sent E-mails to about a dozen NHL players in late October. He told them about his team's intentions, and asked for donations such as autographed pictures or pucks. Being a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, Robin sent one of the requests to Oilers right winger Georges Laraque.

Within a few days, Coach Robin was surprised to find a package delivered to his front door by a courier. Much to his delight, he opened it up to find an Oilers replica jersey, which had been autographed by all of the Oilers, and a note from Laraque wishing the Mighty Flyers success in their tournament. The kids, of course were thrilled that an NHL player would take such an interest in their team.

The tournament was a huge success, on and off the ice. The Mighty Flyers went undefeated.

Laraque's contribution was all the more noteworthy in light of the fact that not one other NHL player even took the time to respond to Robin's E-mails.

The coach learned a lesson that many young kids have learned through disappointment. That is, the likelihood of a professional athlete giving you the time of day decreases as the athlete's fame increases.

To thank Laraque, the team sent him a letter signed by all the players, along with a team photo. A week or two later, another package arrived at the coach's house. This time Laraque had sent about 25 autographed photos of himself for the kids, along with a note saying it would be an honor if he could ever meet them after a game in Edmonton.

In this day and age of selfish prima donna athletes more interested in playing for the name on the back of the jersey than the name on the front, it is refreshing to see a player who recognizes the importance of being a role model for the youngsters.

If you caught this week's issue of the Hockey News, which graded all the players in the NHL, you'll see that Laraque received a grade of C from the publication. The Mighty Flyers, however, know differently. In their minds, Laraque's efforts deserve an A+ all the way."

While MacLean discovered his offensive game, Stars defenseman Sami Helenius learned why Edmonton's Georges Laraque (6-3, 240 pounds) is one of the most-feared enforcers in the NHL. Helenius took several hard lefts in a first-period fight.

"I couldn't believe he was still standing after I hit him," Laraque said. "I looked at him and said, 'Are you kidding?' He's one tough guy." 

POST CARDS FROM THE ROAD

* Georges Laraque had an outstanding road trip with three goals and a lot of quality ice time playing on a line with Rem Murray and Shawn Horcoff. The trio was particularly good in Tampa Bay. 

"He's been unbelievable for us,"MacTavish said of his hulking winger. "I can't say enough about how well he's played." 

Laraque scored twice the win in Buffalo to start the road trip and had another in Carolina in a 3-2 win over the Hurricanes. He could have three in the win over Tampa Bay. Be that as it may, the 11 goals he returns home with mark a career high. 

A Real Knockout 

Seldom has he been looked upon as an offensive sparkplug, but Georges Laraque, on more than one occasion during this road trip, has certainly left an impression. He scored twice in Buffalo and again in Carolina. In Tampa Bay he didn't get a goal but he earned the thumbs up from his head coach. 

"Georges played what I thought was maybe his best game of the year. He just owned the puck," said Craig MacTavish. "They just couldn't stop him." 

Laraque closed out the road trip with an assist against the Panthers.

Now's not the time to mess with success
Joanne Ireland, Journal Hockey Writer
The Edmonton Journal 

There were always things Dan Cleary had to tend to before a game, essential matters like savouring a cup of coffee and a chocolate bar while he taped up his sticks. 

But now that the Edmonton Oilers are undefeated in their last 10 games, the winger, by his own admission, has become pretty particular about his pre-game proceedings. 

He not only has to buy a Sierra Spring bottle of water and a Kit Kat chocolate bar, he has to be on his cellphone at the time. The bar is then divvied up -- a strip to Georges Laraque, one to Shawn Horcoff, and the remaining two to Cleary -- and the rest of the formalities continue to unfold. 

"It's getting bad now," said Cleary. 

The problem, of course, is that he can't take a chance and mess with success. So if he has to knuckle under to these superstitious tendencies, that's exactly what he is going to do. 

"Nope, it's not worth changing anything," Cleary continued. "So it's getting down to the little particulars now, like saying the same phrases." 

Laraque understands Cleary's preoccupation because he too has always had a ritual or two. Every afternoon, before every game, he sits down to a meal of chicken and rice. Energy drinks are also compulsory. But over the last month, Laraque has found a way to include all of his teammates in his pre-game routine. 

"He has something with everybody, and he won't let you off the hook either," said Anson Carter. "He hounds you and hounds you and hounds you." 

There's the special handshake with Mike Comrie and the tapping of gloves with Tom Poti. 

Todd Marchant has to touch his right skate, Doug Weight has to tell Laraque he's ready to go. Rem Murray leans in, helmet to helmet, and eyes the big guy. And at some point, he huddles with Scott Ferguson, who spent his first 13 years in Lac La Biche, and declares, 'Do it for La Biche'. 

"Every warmup I do a breakaway against Tommy Salo. I'm the last one to go but I have to score," Laraque continued. "I have something with everybody. The order doesn't matter, but, because we're winning, I do the same thing every game. 

"If you ask anybody they'll tell you I'm sick. I have so many superstitions now." 

Not all the players are as rigorous about their routines. 

Others say they haven't altered their preparations during this unbeaten run. 

"I study myself and the things I do but I'm not afraid the streak is going to end if I don't do something," said Janne Niinimaa. "I do the things that work for me. There's enough pressure with this job." 

"I'm really not superstitious," Ferguson replied, "but there's certain things you do. And Georges just kind of brings you into his world." 

Not only does Laraque have to whip up an energy drink he and Cleary slug back before the first period, he has to toss the bottle to Cleary. 

"He has to be running and he has to catch it," said Laraque. 

When the team is at home, the two also have to allow time for a game of table tennis -- a best-of-three set. 

"You have your own thing, but now you have to time it so it runs into G's thing, and if you're late, he's going to be mad," said Cleary. 

"It has to flow perfectly so you have to time how long it takes to tape your sticks. I can only make it seven minutes because we do play ping pong." 

The alarm will rouse Cleary today at 4:45 p.m. -- not one minute later, not one minute earlier, but precisely three hours and 15 minutes before the game begins. 

When he gets to the rink, he takes care of business then heads out for the warmup. 

"He's got it down to a science," said Carter, his locker-room neighbour. 

"The warmup is huge," Cleary declared. "I can tell you exactly what's going to happen." 

Cleary will follow Jason Smith out to the ice, high-five Weight, then shoot a puck into one net and another into the New Jersey Devils' net. 

At some point during the warmup, he has to hit the crossbar. 

Next, he stretches beside Marchant, near the blueline, by the Oilers' bench. 

His teammates, too, will trace the steps they have taken for the last 10 games. That's why Cleary will take a puck from no one but Mike Grier. He'll play along the wall, head to the middle of the ice and shoot behind Poti, who always shoots first. 

Once Ryan Smyth takes his shot, the drill is over. During the two-on-one, Cleary will partner up with Horcoff. 

"I always go with Horc. He gets a pass, drops to me, and I always shoot at Tommy. I go low glove every time," said Cleary. 

"Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn't. Then I go to the other side. The three-on-twos are the same, too. 

"You can't mess it up."

Showdown
It's a Saturday-night special when Oilers and Devils meet
By TERRY JONES -- Edmonton Sun
(exerpt from this morning's write-up)

GO-TO GUY

Georges Laraque doesn't get to be the official Oilers spokesman on many subjects, but when it comes to this sort of thing, he has so much kid and so much fan still in him he's definitely your go-to guy. 

"After our winning streak, the nicest thing we could do for our fans is to beat the Stanley Cup champions at home and end their winning streak,'' Georges sets it up for everybody. 

"This is going to be a wonderful atmosphere, a real enjoyable atmosphere. It's going to be exciting. It's going to be fun. I hope it's one of those hockey games that keeps everybody out of breath. 

"It should be real special. It would have been even more special if we hadn't tied the last game. Then it would be 10 wins in a row against nine wins in a row. But still, we won nine in a row and if we let them win 10 in a row then people will forget about us.'' 

The way Georges sees it, the Oilers win streak may be over but it's still on the line. 

Oil spills
(exerpt from the article)
Jim Matheson - The Edmonton Journal 

Squaring Off 

Stu Grimson went after Georges Laraque after the Oilers went up 2-0. 

"I didn't feel like fighting, but he said, 'Georges, we've got to go.' I mean, I must have fought him 50 times,'' said Laraque, who drilled him with one punch that bloodied Grimson's nose. 

In the last shift, Grimson skated up to Laraque, just to talk. 

"It was so funny. ... He said Andy Murray had put him out to shadow me because I was getting too many points,'' laughed Laraque. 

"I told Stu, I was going to be like (Pavel) Bure and be hanging around the red line looking for a breakaway.'' 

A double threat
Georges Laraque can score with his fists or his stick
By ROBIN BROWNLEE -- Edmonton Sun

PHOENIX -- When the puck drops and the gloves don't when playoffs begin in April, Georges Laraque has no intention of riding the pine and practising his scowl. 

Maybe that's why the Edmonton Oilers tough guy, the NHL's heavyweight champ, takes as much pride in reading the stats pages these days as in the black eyes, fat lips and broken contenders he's left in his wake this season. 

Laraque, 24, has been on top of the heavyweight heap for a while, but he's added even more lustre to the big buckle around his waist this season when he keeps his gloves on. 

Laraque has a career-high 26 points after picking up two assists in Wednesday's 7-0 laugher over the Los Angeles Kings, which also makes him the NHL's most prolific pugilist around the net. 

"I always try to set a higher standard for myself. I always try to do better," said Laraque, who has looked like money in the bank after signing a three-year deal worth $2.6 million Sept. 7. 

Laraque has scored 11-15-26. The only legitimate tough guy capable of matching those numbers is Donald Brashear of the Vancouver Canucks. 

The rest of the tough guy fraternity, the likes of Matt Johnson, Tie Domi, Scott Parker, Bob Probert, Chris Dingman and Stu Grimson, who got his nose bloodied by Laraque when he came looking for some action Wednesday, don't stack up. 

"I'm even with Donald right now, but he doesn't fight any more," smiled Laraque. "He averages 14 minutes of ice time and I average nine. Other than him, I've gone past everybody else." 

Of course, it's not like Laraque has become some sort of dominant offensive force, a six-foot-three, 250-pound version of Joe Sakic, but he's made huge strides in terms of developing his game for the second consecutive season. 

He's easily surpassed his previous career-high offensive totals of 8-8-16, set last season, and he's earned more ice time because of his play. That's something that could make him a factor in the post-season, when most tough guys don't contribute much. 

"Of course I know I can't compare myself to somebody like Dougie Weight and guys like that, but as far as tough guys go, I can," said Laraque. "I do look at that and take pride in it. 

"I want to play in the playoffs. I want to contribute and show that I deserve to get the ice time. 

"If guys don't want to fight, I have to be able to do something else to contribute." 

Picking and choosing their fights
Even hockey's tough guys know when to cool it

Joanne Ireland, Journal Hockey Writer
The Edmonton Journal

After Georges Laraque stifled the urge to exchange a few punches with Scott Parker, he did what any reputable heavyweight would do: he turned to the instigator and politely declined the invitation to tussle. 

Parker, a six-foot-four, 230-pounder with the Colorado Avalanche, who's obviously studied the code of the enforcers, did not throw a provocative punch. 

Instead of dropping his gloves, he let the matter drop. 

"He could have tried to embarrass him but you don't try to deliberately embarrass somebody," said Sean Brown, another of the Edmonton Oilers tough guys. "It will come back to you." 

Parker knew it was time to pick a fight . 

That's in the job description: either step in to lay down the law if someone is taking liberties with a teammate, or, get into a scrap to give your team an emotional lift. Such was the case Wednesday after the Oilers had taken a 2-0 lead. 

"You don't want to do it in the third period, because it's too late," said Laraque, "and usually, it's when the other team is up two goals." 

But Oilers coach Craig MacTavish was anticipating the dust-up, and he told Laraque to ignore the invitation. 

"It doesn't happen often but I told Parker straight up, it's 2-0 and the coach said no. 

"He didn't do anything. You're respected for that." 

Respect and gentlemen's agreements are all part of this game -- do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. 

"You don't want to be cheap about it, or dirty," said Brown. "You don't hit guys when they're down or if they're not ready. If a guy's down, you don't keep wailing on him because you don't want that done to you. Once he's down, it's over." 

The code, summarized Laraque, is about fighting with respect. It's an unwritten agreement and one he picked up while watching his peers. 

"I can remember when I was a rookie and I fought Tony Twist. I asked him during the faceoff and he said, 'Are you sure you're ready, kid?' I was real impressed -- he was the toughest guy in the league. I just thought he would kill me. And he tried to kill me during the fight but he wanted to make sure I was ready." 

Laraque hasn't had to settle many scores lately, in large part because the Oilers have been quick to rush to the defence of their teammates. Mike Comrie dropped his gloves when Columbus's Mike Maneluk ran into goaltender Tommy Salo. 

When Peter Forsberg rammed Tom Poti into the boards with a late hit, several players swarmed the Avalanche forward. 

"That doesn't happen often in this league," said Comrie, "but we're a close team and it shows on the ice." 

Comrie, by the way, doesn't seek permission before he fights. He's a spur-of-the-moment guy, not an enforcer. Laraque asks. So do his opponents. Philadelphia rookie Todd Fedoruk did. 

"He said, 'I'm from Redwater, I have lots of family here. I want to put on a show for them. You have to give me the honour,' " Laraque said. "I said no problem. 

"I know how hard this job is so you don't want to turn guys down. And he didn't jump me, he was respectful. That's another reason why when he was on the ground, I didn't do anything. 

"It's a tough job. Sometimes you're tired or you don't feel up to it but you have to fight. And the guy in front of you is not going to give you a break. He's going to try to take your head off." 

There is, however, an addendum because once playoff spots are locked up and the post-season begins, emotions are already running high so seldom is it necessary to spark one's teammates. 

The pugilists also have to decide if the risks are worth the reward. 

"When there's only a couple of games left, the only thing that could happen is that you could get hurt," said Laraque. "How bad would that be? You break your hand and you can't play. 

"And you don't need that emotional lift. If the playoffs don't rise you high enough to play the best you can, then there's a problem."

By AJAY BHARDWAJ, EDMONTON SUN

Quick. Just why are the Edmonton Oilers playing such good hockey? The great goal-tending of Tommy Salo? The stellar play-making of centre Doug Weight? The solid defensive play of Eric Brewer? 

Maybe. Or it might be the way winger Daniel Cleary tapes his hockey stick or one of Georges Laraque's secret handshakes. 

"I'm just superstitious and the good things you do when you win, you have to keep doing them and that's why I don't want to quit," says Laraque, 24. "It's more mental." 

Laraque has been described by teammates as the king of superstitions. 

There's good reason. 

Before each game, he performs a string of rituals with his teammates. First he plays a best of three table tennis match with wingers Cleary and Ryan Smyth. 

He follows that by making a cold drink, bottling it and tossing it to Cleary, who runs and catches it like a football player. Laraque continues his pre-game ritual by touching skates with centre Todd Marchant. 

He also has special handshakes with centres Mike Comrie and Weight, Smyth and defenceman Scott Ferguson. 

Then he makes eye contact with centre Rem Murray, gets a hand signal from defenceman Janne Niinimaa, taps winger Ethan Moreau who taps Laraque on the head twice and taps defenceman Tom Poti's hand and chest. 

"When I forget, the guy (who he does it with) reminds me." 

But sports superstitions extend past the Edmonton Oilers. 

Golfer Tiger Woods reportedly wears red on Sundays during tournaments. His astrology buff mother believes the colour provides him power. 

Former National Basketball Association great Michael Jordan is said to have worn his University of North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform during one of the team's championship seasons. 

"Some guys like to change blades or laces, just crazy little quirks," says Oilers defenceman Eric Brewer, 21. "I think there are things that they feel will help them get an edge." 

Former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ron Hextall used his stick to hit goalposts and had to be the last player off the ice after warmups. Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy supposedly speaks to his posts. 

However, the Oilers' Salo says he's not that eccentric. 

"No, I don't speak with the posts. They never talk back to me," he says. 

He does hit the posts a couple of times before the beginning of every period, though. 

Although Cleary is involved in the Oilers pre-game routine - including always taping his stick from heel to toe and cutting the tape with scissors - he adds it is quirky. 

"In the real world, it's nuts," Cleary admits. "Not in the sports world. Not in the competitive world. You start winning, you don't want to change anything up. It's like the old saying, 'don't fix something if it's not broken.'" 

Winger Anson Carter sits between Laraque and Cleary in the Oilers dressing room. 

"I've seen it the whole year so it's commonplace now," Carter says. "It doesn't really faze me ... I watch Georges with all his secret little handshakes and the faces he makes at each guy and body slams each guy. I'm used to it now. 

"I think when a guy gets in a certain groove, you want to try to re-create that same feeling before a game just so that the same positive things will happen on the ice as well." 

With the playoffs just weeks away, Cleary says the Oilers won't change their pre-game ritual. 

But centre Todd Marchant says superstitions have to be kept in check. 

"I think when things are going good you have a tendency to keep things the same, you don't try to deviate from what's working," he says. "But by the same token, if you don't do something it's going to weigh on your mind and then it gets out of hand. 

"Routine is fine. When the routine gets to be more involved, then it starts becoming a superstition; then you have to back off." 

Defenceman Sean Brown, 24, also goes through pre-game rituals. But he won't reveal them. 

"I can't tell you. I like to keep mine to myself," he said. 

Asked why, Brown laughs. 

"Superstition." 

By ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI -- Edmonton Sun

DALLAS -- The Dallas Stars didn't just beat the Edmonton Oilers last year, they beat them up.
.............
This year? This year things might be different. 

The balance of muscle is no longer in the Stars' favour. Grier is back in the Oiler lineup. Rugged defenceman Igor Ulanov is getting the minutes that went to softie Roman Hamrlik last year and MacTavish has big plans for big Georges Laraque.
Across the hall, Manson, Thornton and Pushor are gone from the Dallas lineup. They've added six-foot-six Sami Helenius, but Laraque sent him a message last time Edmonton played here by punching his lights out.
..............
This year? This year things might be different. 

The balance of muscle is no longer in the Stars' favour. Grier is back in the Oiler lineup. Rugged defenceman Igor Ulanov is getting the minutes that went to softie Roman Hamrlik last year and MacTavish has big plans for big Georges Laraque. 

Across the hall, Manson, Thornton and Pushor are gone from the Dallas lineup. They've added six-foot-six Sami Helenius, but Laraque sent him a message last time Edmonton played here by punching his lights out. 

"Hopefully, with some of the guys we've added this year, we can match them or be even more physical,'' said Grier. "Hopefully we can add a little bit and make their guys pay the price in the corners.'' 

Laraque, who was quiet as a church mouse for the first two games of last year's series, was an absolute bully in Edmonton's Game 3 victory. He was in Hatcher's face. He was in Ed Belfour's face. He forgot about the puck and spent the night punishing Stars. It was his menacing presence that laid the groundwork for a 5-2 Oiler win. 

The Oilers need to see more of that. Right here, right now. 

"Georges will have a big role in the post-season this year than he's ever been in the past,'' said MacTavish, who'll play Laraque wherever he thinks they need some muscle.. "We'll be using him on a variety of different lines. But for us to be successful we need Georges to give us 10 or 11 good, solid, physical minutes.'' 

Laraque attack!

By ROBIN BROWNLEE -- Edmonton Sun

DALLAS -- The Edmonton Oilers need somebody to make an impact today at Reunion Arena unless they want to start thinking about booking tee times instead of playing hockey, and it might as well be Georges Laraque. 

First off, Laraque's a lousy golfer. 

Second, when the six-foot-three, 250-pound right-winger decides to impose his will, there aren't many teams, the Dallas Stars included, capable of preventing him from doing so. 

Well, he's decided. 

"I'm going to try to be more effective than I was," said Laraque, who has to be a physical force today in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarter-final series if the Oilers expect to return home with a split. "I have to. We all have to." 

Laraque, 24, has made a habit of playing some pretty good hockey against the Stars, and he'll have to be more of a factor than he was in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to open the series if the Oilers are serious about getting something done.

MOVIN' ON UP 

He'll get the chance alongside regular linemates Shawn Horcoff and Rem Murray, but he'll also see ice time on the Oilers' top line with Ryan Smyth and Doug Weight. 

"He's learned how powerful he is," Weight said. "He's learned how to find people a little bit. He's shooting the puck. He has that confidence, and not only in his physical strength. 

"His first aspect is, obviously, being a tough guy and being a rugged winger, but he is learning how to be effective offensively against the guys who play against him. He makes a lot of people think out there. He creates a lot of room for Ryan and I." 

Laraque led the Oilers in scoring against the Stars during the regular-season series, and he's one of very few forwards in the league who can make life miserable physically for dominant Dallas captain Derian Hatcher. 

And, he's never been shy about telling people he's coming, or about backing it up after he's filled a reporter's notebook, as he tends to do from time to time. 

"Georges is Georges," Weight said. "Georges is a good quote at times. He's very exuberant and he gets excited. He plays his best hockey when he's confident and having fun and very loose. 

"There's definitely a fine line with how we treat Georges, as players and coaches. You let him go when he's feeling like this and he plays his best hockey when he's feeling good about himself. He's that way right now." 

A SNARLY MOOD 

A year ago, Laraque didn't make his presence felt in the first two games at Reunion Arena and the Stars jetted north to Edmonton with a 2-0 series lead. He showed up in a snarly mood for the third game and the Oilers rolled to a 5-2 win at Skyreach Centre, a game in which Weight scored three goals. 

A repeat, and a game earlier, could go a long way in putting off that first snap-hook a while longer. 

"Every time I'm in their zone I try to go to the net," said Laraque, who, along with the rest of the Oilers forwards didn't muster enough traffic near Ed Belfour in the first game. 

"If the defence comes at me, I'm not going to let them push me. I just look forward to more battles in front of the net ... Hatcher is a big defenceman and he usually runs a lot of our players, so by being there, that presence, he doesn't run as much. I can take him out in their zone. It makes it harder on them." 

Wednesday, Laraque looked ready to be a menace but was whistled for a laughable boarding penalty on Jamie Langenbrunner and a borderline interference call. 

"We all have to," said Laraque, asked if he intends on getting up close and personal with Belfour, who didn't have nearly as much traffic as Tommy Salo contended with Wednesday. 

"He's such a good goalie that if we don't hide the puck in front of him, you're not going to score. You have to be careful with penalties, but we have to score goals." 

All the chintzy calls have done is make Laraque mad, which really isn't a good thing, and he vows he won't back off because of it. That could mean a long day for Belfour, Hatcher and the rest of the Dallas defence. 

"I'm going to be even more aggressive than I was because this is a must-win situation," Laraque said. "I'll give everything I have and try to run everything. 

"It's going to be even worse." 

Joanne Ireland, Journal Hockey Writer
The Edmonton Journal

Never was he the heavy-handed enforcer patrolling the streets of Montreal. He was always the smooth-skating Wayne Gretzky gliding in on a breakaway.

"A tanned Wayne Gretzky and twice as big," said Georges Laraque, reminiscing about his road-hockey exploits. 
Laraque, all 255 exuberant pounds of him, had just skated off the ice at the Euless Star Centre Friday afternoon. 

It was another practice day for the Edmonton Oilers, who will return to Reunion Arena today to duke it out with the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference quarter-final. And just as he did in the opening game, which turned into a 2-1 overtime win for Dallas, Laraque will be called upon to distract Stars defenceman Derian Hatcher. 
He has other duties, of course, but the reason he will spend several of his shifts skating with centre Doug Weight and left winger Ryan Smyth on the first line is to give the hard-hitting Hatcher something to think about. 
"Hatcher is a big defenceman and he usually runs a lot of our players," said Laraque. "If I'm there, he doesn't run as much." 

Head coach Craig MacTavish has said a number of times now that Laraque may not get much more than 10 minutes of ice time, but that is no reflection of his role in the game. 
In fact, MacTavish has gone so far as to suggest that Laraque will be one of the pivotal players in the series. Because if he can create some open ice for Smyth and Weight, then the Oilers have a better chance of beating the Stars. 

But the big guy has other aspirations. He wants to score his first playoff goal, either in regulation time or in overtime. On a breakaway or from a rebound. In Dallas or back in Edmonton. It doesn't matter to Laraque. He just figures that if there's a team he has mastered, it is Dallas. 

He scored a pair of regular-season goals against the Stars and added two assists this year, which gives him one more point than any of his teammates managed to get in the series. So when he says he owns the Texans, who's going to argue with him? 

"Georges is Georges," said captain Doug Weight. "He's very exuberant and he gets excited, and he plays his best hockey when he's confident and having fun and very loose. You let him go when he's feeling like this. 
"He's played very well against Dallas, and it's funny, when you have a team you play well against, everyone can feel it. I can feel his confidence on the ice." 

His feet will never move like Gretzky's and some of his best moves will always be made with his fists, but when the coaches finally coaxed Laraque over to the front of the net, he went on to score a career-high 13 goals during the regular season. That's another reason the Oilers are counting on the enforcer. He can open up the ice for the forwards and he can aggravate opposing defenceman by clogging up the crease. 

"He's such a big presence, you get him out front and he's almost impossible to tie up. So any loose pucks, you h