Report: Former Oiler has encouraging words for the team

Georges Laraque

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: Former Oiler has encouraging words for the team
Keystone Press Agency

It's the fourth day of the Syncrude Oil Country Championship here at the Windermere Golf & Country Club, an annual event which helps to raise important funds for charitable organizations. As per the tournament's website: "This year’s beneficiary will see the EOCF [Edmonton Oilers Community Fund] donate net tournament funds to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation in support of its Pediatric Procedure Room."

The event in itself has presented lots of insights into next season's Edmonton Oilers, particularly because of Bob Stauffer's coverage with his daily radio show : Oilers Now. 

In today's edition, Stauffer had the opportunity to interview former Oiler Georges Laraque, who had great words for the present edition of the Edmonton Oilers: 

"I think last season they [Edmonton Oilers] were really close to a Stanley Cup final, and once you reach that point anything can happen. I see the team make the playoffs for at least the next ten years, but in today's hockey you only really have an eight year window for winning the great honors. I think what killed the organization's chances last season was the lack of a 3rd line; you need a couple more of those guys."

A citation which is clarified by his subsequent comments about the difference between the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Edmonton Oilers: "[...] both teams are equally young. The Edmonton Oilers have stronger young-guns, but Toronto has a lot more depth." 

An issue that may be easily solvable if we are to believe Laraque, who strongly believes that Edmonton has once-again become somewhere that is attractive to play. 

George Laraque suited up for the Edmonton Oilers from 1996 to 2006, in 490 games he managed an incredible 826 penalty minutes. He now hosts a radio show in Montreal. 

Source: 630 CHED