As Promised, Canadiens Buy Out Georges Laraque

Just as they promised they would do back in January, the Montreal Canadiens have bought out the final year of Georges Laraques three-year, $4.5 million contract. This will cost the Habs a cap hit of $1 million (two-thirds of his remaining salary) divided evenly at $500,000 in each of the next two seasons.

On January 21, the Habs discontinued any association with the enforcer. He was cited as a distraction to the team and was absent from all activities with the Canadiens despite remaining on their 23-man roster. Laraque didn't produce much offensively, scoring just five points total in the two years he played for Montreal. His main purpose was to fight and he didn't even do that very often, accumulating just 89 penalty minutes with the Habs. In Laraques defense here, many players were smart enough to avoid fighting him - thus the decrease in fighting majors.

At 33 years old, Laraque is certainly on the tail end of his productivity. But he remains one of the most dangerous and effective enforcers in the NHL, and should provide any team in need of a physical boost plenty of it. And if he's willing to sign for $1 million or less, he's definitely worth it.