Laraque on the Kronwall Hit

[under_par_00 45]

I just came across Georges' personal website, where he has a blog. His latest post talked a lot about the Kronwall hit, how he felt, and the procedure with the hearing. It also contains his thoughts on the suspension. I thought this was a very good read, and I have a little more respect for Laraque after this.

Hello everyone,

Thanks again for tuning in to my monthly blog. I appreciate all the emails you guys send me everyday. Even though it’s impossible to answer them all, I always do my best to do so. On this blog, there are two major events that happened to me this month and that I would like to share with you.

To start, my suspension.

First, I want to sincerely offer my apologies to Niklas Kronwall. Nick, I'm deeply sorry that because of my action you got hurt. I hope you recover quickly and I want you to know that in no way did I intend to hurt you. I respect you as a player and I never wish you or anyone else any harm.

In terms of what happened, well, the last game I played was against Detroit on Nov. 21. In the first period, I got involved in a leg collision with Niklas near the blueline, and yes, you can see it on YouTube. As a result, I got assessed a minor tripping penalty. So, at that time, I had no idea how bad it really was. In a game, things happen fast. You react to things, sometimes badly, but that's how the game goes sometimes. Anyway, after the game, just as I was getting undressed, I had to talk to the media about that incident. Of course, at that time, I hadn’t had a chance to see the replay. I was in the dressing room getting undressed. But the media in the pressbox have a TV where they can see the replay many times and they knew how bad my actions were. That happens often in a game. A player, because of the adrenaline, doesn't really know what happens and without looking at the replay, it's tough to answer the questions. The media can sometimes trap you that way and make you look bad.

So after the game, I didn't think it was that bad so I said I didn't think I moved my leg. But, that night, after the interviews, after looking at the news at home, my opinion totally changed and I knew I deserved a suspension. The incident wasn't a knee to knee hit. I kind of moved my leg to trip him because he had made a move around me to go to the net and my instinct was that I just tried to stop him. Stupid way to do it, let me tell you, because that action earned me a hearing with the NHL.

So for some of you that have no idea what this involves, this is how a hearing goes...

Your GM (Bob) gets a call from the league where they want to set up a meeting with him and me to talk about the incident. The league first gave me the option of having a meeting in person which means the suspension would be at least for five games. I had to choose between going to Toronto to talk about it or discussing it on the phone. Personally, when I knew it would be at least five games, I was pretty upset and thought it was useless to go in person. Their mind was already set, so why waste my time. So, on the phone with Bob, my agent and a NHLPA representative, we got on a conference call with Colin Campbell. Colin is the guy that makes the decisions on all suspensions. So, on the call, he just listened to all of us talking about the incident. We all explained how I'm not a dirty player. There was no intent. I explained what happened. There's really no conversation with him. He listens. After we’re done talking, he thanks us and hangs up. He will call later to let Bob know his decision. When I was talking to him, I was not trying to get away from the suspension. I knew that actions deserved more, but it was more to reduce the amount of games that he had in mind. However, knowing that it was at least five games, I knew this process was useless.

So couple of hours later, I get a call from Bob telling me the suspension would be for five games. Five Games. This is what I have a problem with. First off, why can’t Colin call me to talk about it, to hand me the suspension so we can have a conversation about everything in order to eliminate all confusion? Isn't that what a hearing should be? Also, I totally agree that a suspension should be based on how long it will take for a player to recover. Unfortunately, it has to be the same for everyone, the same for EVERYONE! All the players I talked to told me that if the role was reversed and Kronwall hit me the same way, he wouldn't have been suspended. Last year, Ovechkin took Gonchar knees out, took him out of the game for a couple of months, nothing, then there's the Richards hit. I can go on and on about the subject. There are a ton of examples. I can't say what I think about the league on that process because I will get in big trouble. I can only say that I have a problem with it. Someday, soon enough, when I retire, I will write a book about my life and my career, and then I won't have to keep my mouth shut. I can tell you that a lot of things will change.

So that's why I have a problem with five games, not because of what I did, but because of what other guys, STAR players get in similar cases. Making an example out of tough guys doesn't send a message to the league, but making an example out of a star player would, even though talent wise we’re not all even, we all have the same rights.

I'm not a dirty player. That's not how I play the game. I never head hunt guys. I never try to hurt guys. Even in fight, I'm really careful. Some people might even say I play too honorable. So how can someone say I'm a dirty player? At the end of the day, what I do on the ice doesn't define me as a human being. I'm the total opposite.

He then goes on to talk about the Latendresse trade.

From:

Laraque's Blog

[mjlegend 155]

I read it.

He's played in the league for 12 years now, time to just admit he did something in the heat of the moment that was at the very least exceptionally dangerous to another player's career, man up and take the five. Not like they really missed him.

[Broken 16 381]

I read it.

He's played in the league for 12 years now, time to just admit he did something in the heat of the moment that was at the very least exceptionally dangerous to another player's career, man up and take the five. Not like they really missed him.

Did you read it?

I kind of moved my leg to trip him because he had made a move around me to go to the net and my instinct was that I just tried to stop him. Stupid way to do it, let me tell you, because that action earned me a hearing with the NHL.

[Kwame_Kilpatrick 0]

i think he is a friendly guy i feel bad, i mean if u see an interview he is not a dirty player at all. the only reason he is a fighter is because hes so strong that its just his job, and he knows it was bad it is sincere of an apology, hopefully kronner reads it

[Jake Ryan 1]

NHL enforcers are some of the coolest players I've met so far. They're a lot different when they're not playing.

[vOrophin 5]

I like the fact that he seems pretty honest about most of the stuff. You don't often hear a guy say "well I was going to get suspended anyway so I just went for the phone call instead of going in person." I'm glad that he seems to be showing remorse, and that someone who participates in the league is talking about the preferential treatment for star players (hopefully it doesn't get him suspended by saying that).

It's also good that he points out what he does about interviews during intermissions or immediately post-game when a player gets asked about something that happened during the game. They can't always see the dozens of slo-mo replays the viewers get to see, or hear what happened after a guy goes back into the locker room.

[Guest zackmorris]

NHL enforcers are some of the coolest players I've met so far. They're a lot different when they're not playing.

I think I understand. I've always been a big scary looking guy who can handle himself but I try to be really nice usually. I kind of grew up with people having this little bit of hesitation and intimidation that I've never liked so I try to offset it by being friendly and nice usually. I think alot of enforcers are like this. No one really enjoys constantly intimidating other people unless they're total tyrants. I think this is one of the big reasons why so many of them are cool guys.

[Earthhuman 8]

He seems like a good guy. All of his points are good. Plenty of people around here complain that star players get preferential treatment; I hope nobody contradicts themselves over this issue just because Kronwall was the beneficiary of the trip.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I read it.

He's played in the league for 12 years now, time to just admit he did something in the heat of the moment that was at the very least exceptionally dangerous to another player's career, man up and take the five. Not like they really missed him.

umm, that's pretty much what he did.

He clearly explains his problem is not with the 5 games but because there are different rules for star players.

Edited December 8, 2009 by haroldsnepsts

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

i think he is a friendly guy i feel bad, i mean if u see an interview he is not a dirty player at all. the only reason he is a fighter is because hes so strong that its just his job, and he knows it was bad it is sincere of an apology, hopefully kronner reads it

He seems like a good guy. All of his points are good. Plenty of people around here complain that star players get preferential treatment; I hope nobody contradicts themselves over this issue just because Kronwall was the beneficiary of the trip.

I guess I can kinda see that you would feel that way after reading something he's had some time to prepare and run by his "people" first to see if it ok to post.....

I feel that on that night.... he was a ****** bag..... right after the knee on knee hit... he slapped Helm in the face with his stick..... 2 plays that happen that close to each other can mean he was in the heat of battle, I suppose.. But keep your mind in the game and play with respect please.

I am glad to see the apology to Kronner... but I think he did it ONLY to save face with the league and it was probably mandated that he make a apology in some way.

Edited December 8, 2009 by Hockeytown_Ryan

[Guest zackmorris]

Yeah sadly, there's a good chance someone like an agent probably encouraged him to do this and I'm sure it went through a view revisions.

[Earthhuman 8]

Yeah sadly, there's a good chance someone like an agent probably encouraged him to do this and I'm sure it went through a view revisions.

I wonder what "his people" do between his monthly blogs... probably enjoy their high salaries off of his $1,000,000 a year.

Come on people. If anybody was revising, they missed the part where he called out the league which I personally believe is risky, but right.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

I wonder what "his people" do between his monthly blogs... probably enjoy their high salaries off of his $1,000,000 a year.

Come on people. If anybody was revising, they missed the part where he called out the league which I personally believe is risky, but right.

Its his name on it, not his "people", if it wasnt for bad press he would not have any at all! He's suspended He doesnt get paid... they dont get paid... didnt miss nothing.

Edited December 8, 2009 by Hockeytown_Ryan

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Sorry doesn't pay the bill, Georges.

Because of this dumb goof, our best d-man this season is injured for 2 months.

I still hate Laraque.

[mjlegend 155]

umm, that's pretty much what he did.

He clearly explains his problem is not with the 5 games but because there are different rules for star players.

That's not manning up in my books. That's childish "How come if I do this, I get suspended but he can get away with it?" Would it really have made any difference in his world if Ovechkin gets suspended for a different hit in a different game in another division?

He's just rationalizing this so it makes him look like the good guy. Be careful about feeling sympathy for a guy who put a dangerous knee-on-kneww hit that knocked out a player for two months.

Making an example out of tough guys doesn't send a message to the league, but making an example out of a star player would, even though talent wise we’re not all even, we all have the same right.

It's called punishment, Georgy. Doesn't matter what Malkin does. Doesn't matter what Ovie does. It's what you did. And if you still don't get it, I hope the next suspension for a knee-on-knee hit on a player doesn't involve the Red Wings again.

[Carman 387]

I respect Laraque for being honest.

That said if he doesn't understand the economic reason's of suspending star players I don't know what to tell him.

Unless the star play does something completely inexusable(Oveckin's knee on knee), they are going to be getting the benefit of the doubt because they need to be on the ice to promote the game.

[seeinred 1,488]

I've never been a fan of Laraque, but I've never hated him either. This was a good read though. I really do believe that he's sorry (not that that will bring Nik back), and I also like how he called out Campbell, saying that players of his ilk aren't the type to make examples of; it's the star players that would really send a message.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

That's not manning up in my books. That's childish "How come if I do this, I get suspended but he can get away with it?" Would it really have made any difference in his world if Ovechkin gets suspended for a different hit in a different game in another division?

He's just rationalizing this so it makes him look like the good guy. Be careful about feeling sympathy for a guy who put a dangerous knee-on-kneww hit that knocked out a player for two months.

I don't have sympathy for the guy. I'm not even a Laraque fan. He made a stupid and dangerous play that hurt another player and was rightly suspended for it.

You said it was time for him to man up and admit he did something in the heat of the moment that was dangerous and hurt another player. He did exactly that.

[eva unit zero 271]

Anyone saying anything about Laraque not being a dirty player, which has been mentioned a couple times that because he apologized it means it wasn't really a dirty play, is whacked out of their minds. It was a dirty play. He was beat clean and put his leg into Kronwall's. It's different than Richards or Ovechkin because the Richards hit, Booth tried to avoid and couldn't, and the Ovechkin hit, Kaleta chose to turn towards the boards and endanger himself. Had the "victim" simply taken the hit, there would have been no injury. In Kronner's case, he would have skated past Laraque had Laraque not kneed him. MAJOR difference.

[Doc Holiday 0]

He's an honorable guy. However mistakes happen in the NHL and it just so happened to be against one of Detroit's best players this season.

s*** happens. Let him play and move on.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

He's an honorable guy. However mistakes happen in the NHL and it just so happened to be against one of Detroit's best players this season.

s*** happens. Let him play and move on.

What's the fun in that?!?!?!?!?!?!!?

In all seriousness, I agree with you.

[skyphoenix 153]

Bitching about the NHL on your blog. Wonder if he's going to get fined.

Eh, probably not.

[Guest zackmorris]

I wonder what "his people" do between his monthly blogs... probably enjoy their high salaries off of his $1,000,000 a year.

Come on people. If anybody was revising, they missed the part where he called out the league which I personally believe is risky, but right.

Who said anything about high salaries?