Canadiens: Georges Laraque Ranks Top Tough Guys

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During Thursday night’s installment of The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, he and his guest, former Montreal Canadiens tough guy and Quebec native, Georges Laraque touched on the added toughness in the Atlantic Division. Laraque’s passion for the fisticuffs on ice has translated into his off-ice media career, and he continues to discuss fighting in the sport and its importance. His most recent thoughts, were particularly interesting when he told Marinaro who believes are the top five toughest guys in the league.

To point out the obvious right away, Arber Xhekaj is featured on the list, and Laraque was adamant about his place in the group. Three of the five players will call the Atlantic Division their home this season, and the final two will play in the Metropolitan and Central Division. Laraque’s top five features three forwards and two defensemen, and should Xhekaj stay atop the list, he will need to show his stuff this season.

Marinaro questioned whether Xhekaj had been given some advice on technique and such, as Michael Pezzetta had been given in the past. Laraque refused to answer, but given Xhekaj’s rank, it appears that Laraque has tremendous confidence in the Canadiens’ bruising blueliner. There is no doubt he is in the heavyweight class of the league, but his ranking will certainly gain attention, and he will have to defend his rank.

Number 1 – Arber Xhekaj

Of the top five players in Laraque’s ranking, Arber Xhekaj is the most skilled, and the youngest of the pack, which speaks to the kind of player that he is. Canadiens fans know what they’ve got with Xhekaj, and the league has taken notice, which he is unphased by. He knows that he isn’t a small guy, and he earned respect because of what he was able to do.

Some may argue that he is a little high on the list, and while you may be right, this is Laraque’s opinion, and he deserves the respect to at least be heard. Xhekaj has an immediate trait that stands out in his fighting style, he rushes his opponent and swings for the fences, giving them no opportunity to respond until a couple of haymakers have been landed. His 6’4” 235+lbs frame is imposing, and his physical strength makes him a tough customer, so he certainly warrants a spot on the list.

Mar 12, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Ryan Reaves. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 2 – Ryan Reaves

Arber Xhekaj was the top defender on the list, and the top forward is the league heavyweight champ, Ryan Reaves. Reaves has very few guys try to challenge him, and most take notice when he is on the ice because he will do anything he can to spark his team, with fighting firmly at the top of his list. He is recognized as the toughest in the league, almost unanimously, and deservedly so, he is a menace who loves to chirp and dare guys to drop the gloves with him.

Reaves and Xhekaj have yet to introduce themselves to one another, but with Reaves joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Canadiens set to face them in their season opener, fireworks could explode early. I know how tough both players are, but very seldom has Xhekaj looked out of place in a fight, so it will definitely be an interesting thing to watch. I do believe if he can handle himself against Reaves, then there will be very little room to argue how tough he is, but Reaves and his quick fists will be prepared.

Number 3 – Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic returns back to Beantown, after playing the last eight seasons split between the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. With Lucic back in Boston, he joins his buddy, and newly-minted Bruins captain, Brad Marchand. Patrice Bergeron is gone, which leaves a big hole in the Bruins leadership group, which Lucic should slot into nicely.

Lucic is no stranger to the Canadiens’ brass, and we can look back at the handshake lineup during the playoffs when he threatened former Hab Dale Weise. The history is there, and though Lucic hasn’t been a bur in the Canadiens saddle in a long time, he will likely reacquaint himself right away. He is built like an NFL linebacker, and he has a pair of mitts that look like they were designed to bruise heads.

Feb 16, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Nicolas Deslauriers. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 4 – Nicolas Deslauriers

Like Georges Laraque, Nicolas Deslauriers is a former Habs enforcer and happens to be one of two guys who got the better of Xhekaj during a fight, the other being defenseman Vincent Desharnais of the Edmonton Oilers. Deslauriers loves to go toe-to-toe with his opponents, and just tee off, almost like he is trying to punch through them, and he bull rushes at times also. Deslauriers is respected around the league, and thankfully for the Atlantic Division, Deslauriers will play for Philadelphia in the Metropolitan Division.

The Broadstreet Bullies will have one of the league’s top enforcers, just the way it should be, and there’s no doubt that Deslauriers will be atop the list for fighting majors at the end of the ’24 campaign. There aren’t many guys that are true tough guys anymore, but he is firmly at fourth, and a look at his reel of fights from the ’22-’23 season.

Number Five – Kurtis MacDermid

Many fans of the Habs might not be completely familiar with Kurtis MacDermid, because he plays in the Rocky Mountains, with the Colorado Avalanche, who only play against Montreal once or twice a season. He doesn’t go under the radar though, at 6’5″ and 234 lbs he is a mammoth, who has no problem dropping the gloves. MacDermid is no stranger to Lucic since the two saw quite a bit of each other when Looch was in Los Angeles, and to some degree while in Edmonton and Calgary, during the late-night Western Conference matchups.

I will be surprised if he doesn’t fight, at minimum, two of the five guys on the list, but likely more, and multiple times, if given the opportunity. The hulking defender will be occupied bruising up the Central Division, should anybody try to test the Avalanche’s stars. But he should garner a ton of interest when the Canadiens face the Avalanche, and you guessed, he will probably mix it up with Wifi.

The toughened division is obvious, considering that three of the five toughest guys, arguably, in the league are in the Atlantic Division, and Deslauriers isn’t far. So, expect there to be some classic scraps ahead. The Leafs and Canadiens are set to square off, for three straight contests during the preseason, before a tilt on the opening night of the ’24 season.

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