Steve Begin gets proffesional tryout
 

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=639822

"I'm doing everything to get to back in shape - I'm in great shape right now - and I'll do everything I can to make this team."

When new Flames head coach Bob Hartley was notified the forward had fully recovered from surgery, he felt Bégin would be the perfect addition to the squad's training camp roster.

"He asked around (about my hip) and he talked to me so that's how we got everything done," Bégin said of the process behind the contract. "I'm so happy I have this opportunity with this team."

Hartley demands a lot from his players when it comes to work ethic and physical fitness and Bégin believes his style of play will mesh seamlessly with his.

"I'm the kind of guy that leaves it all on ice," he said. "I also play with grit, which is something I know Bob likes. I think I'll be a perfect fit."

Thoughts?

A good no risk signing. If he can prove himself in camp it's a solid signing. A good face off man too

Excellent! If he's healthy, he instantly becomes our best fourth liner.

I'm biased though, because I've always been a Begin fan.

Edit: "best" is subjective, our fourth line is ok without him too.

He brings some Grit were missing if he really is healthy.

This puzzles me. But whatever, if he makes the team better than great.

meh...

Makes forth line pretty good. A guy who has always been a good faceoff man...

This is no risk, and thus, a good signing. Worst case scenario he never makes the team, bear case we get a bit tougher to play against.

This is really a waste of everyone's time. I wouldn't waste the contract on someone who hasn't played in god knows how long. If it was a former superstar like Hasek, or if someone like Fluery wanted another crack at it, it would be different. But to focus on a career 4th line plug is silly given that a guy like Kostopolous could be brought back for a try-out.

The sad truth, we don't need anymore of these guys. I would much rather see a prospect get an opportunity.

Kind of pointless, but whatever lol

The only possibly thing I can think of to justify this is if Feaster is just doing the guy a favor to be showcased around the league. Feaster does have a philosophy of treating players well, so this might be him acting on his warm, fuzzy heart. But all in all this really doesn't help the Flames. I'd hate to know that our scouts and staff were too busy watching Begin over one of our homegrown prospects.

Everyone complaining about contracts and letting kids play... He's on a tryout, means the only way he gets his NHL contract is he out performs some kids at camp...

The only reason he'd ever put on the c, is if he plays better than kids. It's up to kids to grab some of those slots.

I don't get the point of the try out to be honest, he wouldn't be a upgrade on Jackman or Bouma or Aliu 2 years ago I can't see him being an upgrade now. I guess it is just to make the camp more of a battle for the 4th liners but with Stajan(?), Bouma, Jackman, Jones, Comeau, Aliu etc all fighting for 4th line roles seems wasted to me.

More competition in camp can't be a bad thing.

Meh, if he makes the team he gets paid the league minimum and plays the fourth line which means he'll play so little nobody will notice him. I can't see this making any difference one way or the other.

Can't say I hate the move. I'll wait to see what he brings.

When I look at the potential upside of Aliu, Bouma, Comeau and Jones, I can possibly see one, maybe two guys becoming 3rd line guys worth 30 points one day. Stajan might even be a 40+ guy if given good enough wingers. But Begin is 34 years old, has played 2 NHL games over the past 2 seasons, has struggled with injuries, and lastly, had a career high of 23 points half a decade ago. Is it really possible to have Begin on the 4th line over these guys?

If it's about competition during camp, then why bring in Begin? Our coaches and hockey staff have to watch him and take notes, thereby not watching and noting someone else on the ice. Why not be watching someone with a chance?

I know it's not a HUGE deal because it's just a try-out. I honestly hope Begin the best and I hope he finds a job. When you see these activities delivered by Feaster, you wonder what he's thinking that's all.

Yes. The NHL and especially the forth line is solely based on how many points you can get. Begin and players like him bring other aspects such as being good on the dot, being physical and being players that are defensive specialists.

There's a reason Feaster is a gm and you're not, none of us are, at the end of the day.

Agree with this. Feaster is trying to get more youth in the line-up then why are we bringing in older players to fill these positions. Letting our good young players only play in the NHL when there is injury is not the right way to implement youth. Give the kids a chance to make the opening day roster at least.

If he's healthy and wins a spot great. I wouldn't be worrying about points from the 4th line personally. Having watched him play before he will do anything to win and that's what you want on a 4th line.

The kids have a chance at making it nobody is taking that away. If the kids can't beat out someone who hasn't played recently they should not get those spots. A roster spot should be earned not just giving to someone younger because everyone is worried about the average age of a team.

I agree if we wanted a faceoff specialist then I would have brought in Arnott or Moore, sure Begin was a good face guy when used there and was physical but he has 2 games played in the last 2 years it simply makes no sense.

I understand what you are saying but we currently have
Comeau, Stajan, Jones, Jackman, Bouma, Aliu

all fighting for 4th line roles having Begin there just seems redundant. It just doesn't seem like a good fit as Stajan is a better center Comeau is a better winger, Jackman is a better tough guy, Bouma and Jones are both better penalty killers.

I understand there's more to the game than points, but I really think it's inappropriate to dive into that debate in its entirety. This last comment however, is simply ridiculous.

Daryll Sutter was a GM, so does that mean he could run the Flames better than his critics? Hell, Sutter was a prototypical hockey guy, unlike Feaster. Better yet, why the **** are we discussing Flames transactions when we should just shut up and mindlessly cheer for all of Feater's decisions? Why start up a thread for that matter? C'mon now... I expect better than this from the Flames Board's fans, including yourself. Let's talk hockey reasonably please.

Don't mind this at all. If the guy proves that he still has NHL ability in him, would be nice to have another 4 liner who puts his heart on his sleeve every shift.

This about sums up my feelings towards this. Go Begin Go!