Back to the Montreal Canadiens Newsfeed

Guy Lafleur and the 10-Year Contract: Part IV — Cheating Death and Taxes

Guy Lafleur’s on-ice heroics had transformed him into one of Montreal’s most prominent celebrities off the ice. In 1979, he released a truly terrible disco album in which he gave hockey instruction set to the beat of the vibrant Montreal disco scene.

Lafleur became a frequent presence on the Montreal club scene and a late-night partying aficionado. The distraction this caused did not please Irving Grundman, whose relationship with his team’s superstar grew increasingly strained as Lafleur began exhibiting signs of frustration beyond his contract.

The superstar player, who grew used to the adulation and title of best player in the NHL, started taking a back seat to newcomers like Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky.