Lafleur’s Last Dance: Canadiens Legend Makes Nordiques Comeback
Guy Lafleur’s name is inextricably linked to Montreal. The flair, the speed, the effortless scoring—he defined an era. For a decade and a half, he lit up the Forum, racking up five Stanley Cups, countless highlight-reel goals, and a reputation as hockey’s golden boy. Every Canadiens fan of the ‘70s remembers the streaks, the slick dekes, the shoulder-shrugging confidence that made him untouchable.
Lafleur First Retired in 1985, But Came Back Three Seasons Later.
When Lafleur retired in 1985, it seemed like the final page on a glittering NHL career. He’d won everything there was to win, set records that seemed untouchable, and walked away at the top. But the story didn’t end with the Canadiens. Three years later, in 1988, the Quebec Nordiques came calling. They weren’t a dynasty—they were a team that needed energy, star power, and a boost in morale. Lafleur, ever competitive and still craving the game, said yes.
His decision wasn’t about reclaiming past glory. He joined Quebec as a free agent, a hometown hero returning to give the fans something special. The Nordiques were a different world from the Canadiens—less polished, less celebrated, and far more of an underdog environment. Lafleur’s speed had slowed, and the defences faced weren’t the same as in his prime. Still, he brought leadership, poise, and the kind of confidence that only comes from knowing you’ve been the best.
Over three seasons with the Nordiques, Lafleur wasn’t the unstoppable force from Montreal, but he was productive, scoring key goals and mentoring younger players. He reminded fans—and himself—that the joy of the game wasn’t just about stats or trophies. It was about skating hard, reading plays, and making the game look graceful, even when the scoreboard didn’t always favour him. His Nordiques years didn’t rewrite his legacy. But they did add an unexpected coda. For him, it was a chance to return home, to play for pride, and to show that passion doesn’t retire when the trophies do.
Hockey Collectors Have Only a Few Cards of Lafleur in a Nordiques Uniform.
I thought I'd write about Lafleur today because I came across one of the few cards on which he’s in a Quebec uniform. For collectors, historians, and fans, this period is a curious footnote. There weren’t as many cards, the headlines were quieter, and the stats weren’t historic—but the story of Lafleur’s return is almost cinematic. It’s the golden boy stepping off his pedestal, testing himself again, and leaving the ice on his own terms once more.
For a player like Lafleur, even a modest comeback carries meaning. It’s about heart, hometown pride, and the unending love of the game.