Begin a disappointment so far

JohnM · Guru

Begin a disappointment so far

Ando · Guru

JohnM wrote:

Last year at this time, this guy was a useful asset to the team. So far this year he is pretty much useless. What gives?

Two words JohnM...two words - Radek Bonk!

(he is centreing one value line right now)

macneil · Guru

he not playing his position , he cant play his game , he has to be more responsible playing center instead of running around baging the opposition.

superhab · Guru

Linemates are key. last year Begin started the year off playing with Plekanec and Higgins, more offensively gifted players, this year he is playing with Murray, and Latendresse, not excactly guys who get him the puck much for him to shoot.

plouf · Guru

I don't think Begin is cutting it at centre. His style fits a winger better.

Yet one more reason for Gainey to.....oh forget it.

JohnM · Guru

And-o wrote:

-----------------------------------------------

Two words JohnM...two words - Radek Bonk!

(he is centreing one value line right now)

-----------------------------------------------

So this allows Begin to be useless? He still plays 10+ minutes a game. He's a -5 with no points. Currently the 4th line is not doing anything for this team.

-- Edited by JohnM at 21:53, 2006-10-26

plouf · Guru

Again I say. Not a centre. I would rather see Kovalev switch to centre than this Begin situation continuing. My ideal lines right now:

Higgins-Koivu-Ryder
Latendresse-Kovalev-Perezhogin (on off wing, yes)
Samsonov-Bonk-Johnson
Begin-Plekanec-Murray

stead20 · Newbie

He is still one hell of a penalty killer. The guys all out, awesome forechecker, When hes on the ice he's always throwing bodies. I like him..

Gotta love that markov goal with 1.2 secs left!! haha..

Go habs go!!

AB Habman · Guru

stead20 wrote:

He is still one hell of a penalty killer. The guys all out, awesome forechecker, When hes on the ice he's always throwing bodies. I like him..

Gotta love that markov goal with 1.2 secs left!! haha..

Go habs go!!

How can you discredit a guy who gives it his all every night at an affordable wage. The guy sacrifices his body every game. Trust me guys, the fourth line Begin isn't the problem. Probably one of the best penalty killers in the league.

-- Edited by AB Habman at 00:34, 2006-10-27

Traveling Hab · Veteran Member

plouf wrote:

Again I say. Not a centre. I would rather see Kovalev switch to centre than this Begin situation continuing. My ideal lines right now:

Higgins-Koivu-Ryder
Latendresse-Kovalev-Perezhogin (on off wing, yes)
Samsonov-Bonk-Johnson
Begin-Plekanec-Murray

no reason to have off lines... perezhogin is a naturalf teft and lats a right

Ando · Guru

JohnM wrote:

So this allows Begin to be useless? He still plays 10+ minutes a game. He's a -5 with no points. Currently the 4th line is not doing anything for this team.

Not to worry JohnM!!!

And-o has complete confidence that Steve Begin’s game will be rounding back into form soon!

Perhaps he is nursing some bumps and bruises!?!…or perhaps he is just simply off to a slow start!?!…who knows???...but no way is this guy going to remain a ‘filler’ type for long!!!

In fact, And-o dares to say that when he ramps-up his agitating, his aggressive fore-check, his shot-blocking and his net crashing many here will be wondering aloud why/how on Earth this guy doesn’t wear the letter ‘A’ on the front of his jersey in lieu of ‘the enigma wrapped in a mystery’ known as Alexei Kovalev!

(j’ya think Steve likes Alexei? Maybe Steve tolerates Alexei…MAYBE!...for now!)

plouf · Guru

I wasn't knocking Begin by the way.

Just that I think the centre's responsibility takes away some of the focus on the key parts of his game: getting in people's faces, agitating, forechecking, gambling for the occasional big hit, etc...A centre needs to be calm and collected sometimes, and Begin does best when he's going all out. He was a great pairing with Bonk.

ray · Senior Member

I feel Begin is doing what is expected of him, he is and will always be a fourth line player. Steve is one of the best shot blockers in the league and one of the top pk killers on our team. If by years end he is still a -5 I'll take that. Lots of times when on the road because of the last change rule, his line gets stuck against the top lines which after a long season will add up the goals against. Whenever his line gets a goal it is a big bonus. The less we hear of Begin name the better. We need more superstars mentioned, but in the positive way

Johab · Guru

John im sorry but tell that tothe 23 273 people at every habs game who cheer louder for only Huet Koivu and Kovalev when the names are called out. Begin is a star in montreal, one hell of a player and i can name you 29 other teams who would LOVE to have this guy on their team!

habgirl · Guru

I'm with you on this one Jo, Ray, Ando et al - I wouldn't trade Begin's heart for anything. He plays it out every game, is not afraid to throw the body and stop whatever's coming his way. And, don't get in his goaltender's face 'cause he's coming for you.

Gotta love him.

JohnM · Guru

Begin came alive tonight. He was key in the Markov empty net goal and nice to see him get his first of the season not to mention his great PK work tonight.

Gotta give props to Begin for his game tonight. He should've got a star.

Traveling Hab · Veteran Member

I think we can all see that he is a winger and not a centre. Great energy winger, not a great energy centre. I very much liked what I saw today.

30_NILAN · Member

Traveling Hab wrote:

I think we can all see that he is a winger and not a centre. Great energy winger, not a great energy centre. I very much liked what I saw today.

Wow youre 100% correct on that one man. What a difference it made for both Begin and Pleks to change lines.