The Puck Stops Here
Laraque Blocked
by PuckStopsHere on 01/29/10 at 10:50 AM ET
Comments (0)
When Georges Laraque signed a three year contract worth $1.5 million per year with a non movement clause in the summer of 2008 to join the Montreal Canadiens, it raised a few eyebrows. Laraque is a goon who was set to enter the decline phase of his career. Though he once scored 29 points in the 2000/01 season, his recent totals had been more modest (for example 13 in the season before that new contract). It was a reasonable question to ask if he would hold any NHL value into the third year of the contract and it was reasonable to wonder why he was given a no movement clause.
Things worked out worse than predicted for Laraque in Montreal. He was limited to only 33 games in his first season in Montreal - in part due to a back injury. He managed two assists and no goals in that season. This season, in 28 games so far, Laraque had three points. Montreal decided to admit the contract was a mistake. Laraque was released from the Habs and given notice that the remainder of his contract would be bought out this summer. This caused some minor controversy because the announcement came just after the Haiti earthquake and Laraque’s parents are Haitians. Much of Laraque’s extended family remains in Haiti.
In order for Georges Laraque to move on with hockey, a deal was reached where he could play with AIK Stockholm of the Swedish Elite League. He would have his expenses paid by the Swedish team (accommodations and food) and Montreal would pay the remainder of his NHL salary. The NHL has blocked this deal. This has been reported as being an issue of Laraque’s no movement clause. In order to play in Europe, Laraque must clear waivers and a no movement clause (which presumably Laraque waived) prevents his being placed on waivers. The idea that this prevents the deal seems crazy.
I think (though I cannot find and reliable source to verify this) the problem comes from Montreal paying Laraque’s salary in Sweden. The NHL has been willing to accept players being shuffled to European teams (often to avoid salary cap hits), but the European team has always paid a significant portion of the player’s salary (though not necessarily all of it).
At the same time, the New Jersey Devils have announced that Ilkka Pikkarainen of the New Jersey Devils has been shipped to CSKA Moscow of the KHL. Pikkarainen is a 28 year old Finnish player in his first NHL season. He has scored 4 points in 31 games and does not fit in the Devils longterm plans. The difference here is that the Moscow team is paying his salary (and he lacks a no movement clause). Nobody is standing in Pikkarainen’s way of going to his European team.
The NHL is blocking Laraque’s transfer to Sweden. It seems that they are upset about financial arrangements and that this no movement clause is a red herring. Presumably, if AIK Stockholm wants Georges Laraque, they will have to pay for his services and his movement will be allowed by the NHL. In principle, Laraque could announce retirement from Montreal and then start a comeback in Sweden, but that would have Montreal off the hook for the rest of his current contract, so that is unlikely.
Filed in: | The Puck Stops Here | Permalink
Tags: Georges+Laraque, Ilkka+Pikkarainen, Montreal+Canadiens, New+Jersey+Devils,
Comments
Be the first to comment.
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
New Jersey Devils Make The Finals
Los Angeles Kings Make The Stanley Cup Finals
Another Potentially Important Signing
World Hockey Championships: Medal Round
About The Puck Stops Here
The Puck Stops Here was founded during the 2004/05 lockout as a place to rant about hockey. The original site contains over 1000 posts, some of which were also published on FoxSports.com.
Who am I?
A diehard hockey fan.
Why am I blogging?
I want to.
Why are you reading it?
???
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Donate to Kukla’s Korner