Here’s an excerpt from the Hockeybuzz.com article by Yvon Pedneault who looks at the 2008-09 edition of the Canadiens:
Alex Tanguay will be a great fit for this team with his speed and ethic, Robert Lang, while not fast, is experienced, and Georges Laraque, while he has yet to suit up this year, brings a toughness that the Habs were missing in last year’s playoffs.
No one around the team was happy with an injured Komisarek being roughed up by the Bruins in the playoffs. That plays a part in why Georges is here now.
Already Laraque is among the most popular player among his teammates and has shown leadership that is important.
But the true leader on this team is Kovalev. This is not the same player that we knew (and many questioned) when he played with the Rangers and Penguins.
Kovalev is a leader and is always there for his teammates helping them with all aspects of the game as was evident in a recent practice when he worked with Tom Kostopolus during practice with some tips on playing along the boards. Alex is not a selfish player and has embraced the city. The city has embraced him back as well.