Steve Begin will surely be missed in Montreal; not just for his golden work ethic, but for his leadership, his dissatisfaction with anything but a 100%-effort, and the energy he brought to the Canadiens on a nightly basis.

There are few athletes you will meet who enjoy winning, and hate losing as much as Steve Begin does. A consummate professional, Begin couldn't fathom not being able to help the team on the ice, after being relegated to a seat in the pressbox on too many occasions this season--something that became too disheartening as the Canadiens fell on hard times in the last month and his situation didn't change.

On a personal note, Steve Begin reminded me of some kids I grew up playing hockey with. Every year there was always someone lacking in the talent department that brought a certain out-of-control style to the game. These players were always the hardest to play against because their style was so reckless that their actions were unpredictable. These were the type of players you got out of the way of, and that's exactly the type of player Steve Begin is, and was for the Canadiens.

Unpredictably, Begin provided timely offense for the Canadiens throughout the years. Predictably he did everything he could to help them win, even on nights were no one else seemed interested.

I will never forget watching him kill 5 on 3s by himself, blocking shot after shot. I will never forget him barreling into the boards mouth first in the playoffs against Boston, and returning 10 minutes later with a cage on. I will never forget periods were he recorded 7 or 8 hits. I will never forget saying "this guy would take a puck in the face for anyone of his teammates, and you don't win Stanley Cups without guys like Begin." I don't think his teammates will forget either, and though his role was given to a younger, bigger, and quicker player in Gregory Stewart, what he brought in energy and enthusiasm to the Canadiens can never be replaced.

Steve Begin deserved to be in a place where he could play and prove he's worth another contract in the NHL. The Dallas Stars will undoubtedly benefit from his presence, and he will no doubt be a solid contributor to any success they live in this year's playoffs, should they make it.
**********

The Canadiens are in tough against a Flyers team that has beaten Washington and Los Angeles this week. Martin Biron was given the start against the Kings after Antero Niittymaki had beaten the Caps, and all but taken his number 1 position. Biron who has struggled this season pitched a shutout against the Kings and will start tonight against Jaroslav Halak and the Canadiens.

Philadelphia has 2 games in hand on the Canadiens, and remain 4 points up in the standings, in 4th place.

Georges Laraque has rescinded his suggestion that he wants out of Montreal. Claiming he won't waive his no trade, and he wants to ride out his contract with the Canadiens. He plays tonight alongside Kyle Chipchura and Gregory Stewart.

Mathieu Dandenault is the only healthy scratch, and it's been reported he's likely to be traded before the deadline. Whether he's requested a trade, as was also reported, has not been confirmed.

The Canadiens have picked up Glen Metropolit off of waivers. This move is not surprising at all, as the Canadiens were looking for a right-handed centreman to support the current group which has suffered without Robert Lang.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Heartbreak> Brian Bannan

» Game 3 Preview: Brian Bannan

» Will the Real Habs Please Step Forward? by Andrew Wright

» Game 2 recap- Jennifer Berzan Cutler

» New Habs Blog> M.R. d'Awe