Loveable NonLeafs - Volume 1

by LeafFanInVan on Jan 9, 2009 11:07 PM EST

In order to add a note of positivity after a bit of a brutal week for Leaf Fans, I thought I'd start a series profiling players who have never worn the blue and white. These are players who could be classy, solid leaders, entertaining as all hell or all of the above.

I'll start with some short blurbs and who knows, I may add on longer entries for other players as I go.

Georges Laraque

The violence and chippiness of the recent game got me to thinking about this big fella who was absent from the fray. One of the best fighters going these days, I've always had a soft spot for big Georges. He gives great interviews, he is quite dedicated to charity (he's still active in both Edmonton and Pittsburgh with the charity, apparently) and he just seems to really enjoy playing the game. He also wrote a very entertaining blog up until recently. Apparently players for the Canadiens are not allowed to blog (?) so he's done for now.

For those who may be interested, here's a video of him devastating our recently acquired Brad May:

Joe Sakic

Burnaby Joe. 20+ years with the same franchise. From the terrible lows of the Nordiques to the cup victories with the Avalanche, Sakic has always been a consummate class act. He's been an integral part of Team Canada in the world juniors, world cup and of course the olympics. He has a street named after him in Burnaby, which I used to drive past on my way to work. He's like the Martin Luther King of Burnaby.

I can't even get mad at him for kicking the ass of Dougie that one time, heck Dougie wasn't even a leaf at the time!

The announcer cracks me up. Anyway, get well soon Joe!

PensionPlanPuppets.com is a fan community that allows members to post their own thoughts and opinions on the Toronto Maple Leafs and hockey in general. These views and thoughts may not be shared by the editor of PensionPlanPuppets.com.

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Why Is It...

…hockey has this dearth of guys who can call a game properly? That was almost worse then Rick Jeanneret having a stroke every time Buffalo scores a goal.

Almost.

Unable to actually speak French since 1980.

by Pamplemousse on Jan 9, 2009 11:36 PM EST reply actions

Not just hockey

about 99% of announcers kill me.

The CBC got great ratings once during a strike when they just aired the game and the crowd noise. With all of the digital channels how is that not an option?

Or, something like what Sky Sports does?

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Jan 9, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions

I’d love just crowd noise too. Dunno why they can’t have that on the SAP audio channel or something.

Course with digital cable the companies were trying to say we’d have cool stuff like extra viewing angles etc.. All BS, digital is better for them because they can cram more crappy channels on and charge more.

by LeafFanInVan on Jan 10, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

The crowd noise on Thursday was incredible, I couldn’t hear 2/3 of the penalty announcements. For a Thursday game, filled predominantly with Habs fans (as opposed to the 60/40 split on Saturday games), it was either the loudest I can recall, or there was a problem with the volume of the announcer.

by lordosis on Jan 10, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions

Good First Picks

I like BGL for his enthusiasm, big smile, and big heart.

Cutting out the blog is bullshit. It happened because some of the Montreal papers complained.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Jan 9, 2009 11:51 PM EST reply actions

That is really lame. I enjoyed reading his stuff, and you got the impression he really enjoyed writing it.

If he wrote a book I’d buy it, just cause I like the guy.

by LeafFanInVan on Jan 10, 2009 12:02 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was also because he was revealing more of his injury (though in vague terms) than the Montreal brass would have liked.

Whatever, Big Georges will always be a player I love to watch and admire from afar. He simply is a great person.

by bkblades on Jan 10, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions

Laraque

that actually was pretty interesting to read. I should go back through the archives or something.

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Jan 10, 2009 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

Apart from his overuse of “lol” he’s very readable. But the lolling is part of his charm.

by LeafFanInVan on Jan 10, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

new BGL nick name, LoLaque

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jan 10, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

LoLaque – perfect.

I teared up a bit when I read this comment on Georges’ blog though:

I am so proud of you son. I have tears reading the blog. Well written and lots of class and character. You will always be my “Wayne Gretsky”! And I can not express more my admiration for your courage and accomplishments.

I love you.

Dad

by Mirinov's Nose on Jan 10, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions