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Montreal Canadiens: Georges Laraque Reveals His Top Five Tough Guys

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol

UNIONDALE, NY - APRIL 02: George Laracque #17 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the New York Islanders on April 2, 2009 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - APRIL 02: George Laracque #17 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the New York Islanders on April 2, 2009 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Mar 12, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Ryan Reaves. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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.

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