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Begin a Bruin now

Email|Link|Comments (25) Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff July 1, 2009 07:03 PM

Steve Begin has traded in the CH for the spoked-B. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff)

Two seasons ago, Steve Begin took a stick to Marc Savard's back. Last season, he absorbed a pounding from Shawn Thornton during training camp as payback. But that's all history now.

"It's hockey," said Begin. "One day you play for one team. Another day you play for another team. It's part of the game. In all those years I played against Boston in the playoffs, a lot of things happened. I'm going to be on the right side now."

Begin played for Claude Julien in Montreal. Begin didn't have as much luck under Guy Carbonneau and was shipped to Dallas last season.

"He listens to the players and he knows how to play you and how to use you," Begin said. "Look at [Michael] Ryder. A year ago in Montreal, people thought he was done. Now he's playing for Claude and he had his best season last year. That's what it's like with Claude. He gave me a lot of ice time. He played me a lot. The most important thing is he listens to the players and gets the best out of you."

ANALYSIS: Begin is a character player who will fill every role asked of him. Isn't afraid of anybody. Not the best fighter but is willing to drop the gloves. Because of his on-the-edge game, is always at risk for bumps and bruises. Will give the Bruins depth at the bottom of the forward corps. Good fit with the Bruins.

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25 comments so far...

This is a great signing by PC. Begin will be very much like Yelle was last season. Inexpensive acquisition that plays hard and makes good decisions.

Posted by Andy July 1, 09 07:15 PM

Hey Marc, remember that guy who broke your back? Well, he's in the stall next to yours now.......enjoy.

Good pickup though.

Posted by Chris July 1, 09 07:36 PM

If Julien can do with him what he did with Ryder then CJ may just have to reverse his initials.

Posted by Bill in Montreal July 1, 09 07:37 PM

We need to sign Recchi now. 1.5 million for a 20+ goal scorer and the best team player you can have....It's a hell of a deal...
I guess there wont be any place left for Kessel...7.4 millions left this morning, Bitz should get something around 1million, B�gin 850 000. They now need a D

Posted by Sarge July 1, 09 07:43 PM

Just a good solid addition. Like it.

Posted by Dalton July 1, 09 07:50 PM

haha bill that was very corny but pretty damn funny

Posted by tommy July 1, 09 07:51 PM

Good signing, one of those guys that you hate when he plays against you but you'd love to have on your team.

Posted by brian July 1, 09 08:05 PM

i have corny, it's the begin ing of a new era, i can see the headline tomorrow

Posted by corny writer July 1, 09 08:13 PM

This guy is awful but at least it might keep Lucic on the ice instead of the penalty box next year.

Posted by nash July 1, 09 08:28 PM

"I'm going to be on the right side now."

Very clever comment. Smart guy, Begin.

Good signing. Solid replacement for Yelle, and several years younger.

Posted by duinne July 1, 09 08:30 PM

Fluto, how about providing the position he plays !

Posted by LarryG July 1, 09 09:12 PM

DEFENSE----Paul Mara UFA New York Rangers--- solid numbers this year and will defend he team mates to a fault. He stepped in and took on all those looking to take Chara to the box a couple years ago. rocket shot from the point.

Posted by Christy11 July 1, 09 09:32 PM

I'm so tired of hearing about the B's drafting/signing "character guys" who have "grit." How about some speed and stick handling ability??? The B's are a second tier club because they don't have enough TALENT. Trade Kessel? OK, but don't swap him for some big lug with "character" who skates with a piano on his back and can't pot the puck. Or resign yourself to another 'nice' season with no Cup. ENOUGH!

Posted by tiredofthehype July 1, 09 09:33 PM

I like this signing. He won't give you much at all offensively, but he is an agitator and a hard nosed player. Not every player on a team can be 20+ goal scorers. Every team (well, those who want to make any noise), need to have these type of blue collar workers who aren't afraid to get dirty.

Proof: The Canadiens being swept out of the playoffs because they were too soft. :)

Posted by Bergy July 1, 09 09:34 PM

Begin is a good signing he will help.

Posted by Bob W. July 1, 09 09:55 PM

Even Steve Montador and Denis Wideman are better in their own zone than Mara.

Posted by b&gbleeder July 1, 09 10:29 PM

nobody thought he was a bum when he was instrumental in knocking us around when he played for the habs

Posted by mattyw July 1, 09 11:45 PM

Love the move. A welcomed addition.

Posted by Greg July 1, 09 11:58 PM

tiredofthehype, wah wah wah

they have plenty of skill and speed

clearly 1st in the east last year means they are 2nd tier and almost everyone is returning, hmm

Posted by Mike July 2, 09 01:24 AM

tiredofthehype - You're not looking at the big picture when it comes to the Kessel trade. While I personally do not want to lose Kessel, going to be something special if he isn't already, but the B's were trading him for Kaberle AND Zack Kassian with the No. 7 pick. That would have been an absolute steal in my opinion! Don't get me wrong, I prefer Kessel stay in the black and gold, but it would have been a great trade for Boston.

Trust in the Bruins is hard, (gave up my season tickets because I don't trust them), but they're doing some good things with this team. They'll be right there next season.

Posted by Jay July 2, 09 01:43 AM

I hate this guy, he is exactly the player I don't want to see in Boston and I don't care if they got him for 60k a year and a pack of Molson. He is a dirty little poor excuse for a hockey player. I hope savards breaks his back in the first practice.

Posted by bluefox70 July 2, 09 09:06 AM

I agree with bluefox70, he'd better become a good dressing room guy, he's already said "now im on the right side" so thats in his favor. otherwise i hate this pickup

Posted by boris July 2, 09 10:11 AM

Savvy breaking someone's back? Joke, right?

Lots of Patriots fans hated Rodney Hsrrison when he joined the team too. That worked out OK.

Begin is the type of guy you hate on the opposition and love on your own team. You can't have a team full of Savards, Krejcis and Kessels - you need bangers and scrappers as well, guys like Bitz and Thornton and Begin. I'm frankly amazed that anyone calling themselves a Bruins fan doesn't realize that.

Posted by duinne July 2, 09 11:14 AM

the only reason people are saying negative things about Begin is because he was on MTL. It's the fools who don't understand Hockey and want a Yankees/Sox type rivalry.

Please get real! Look at this 4th line now!!
Begin-Bitz-Thornton

One of the hardest 4th lines in the league.

Posted by Dan July 2, 09 01:20 PM

I agree with Dan, duinne, and others who have their heads screwed on tight. The 4th line just got tougher. Who cares if Begin played for the Habs? I don't see anyone complaining about Ryder being an ex-Hab anymore. He "became" a Bruin, as will Begin. Besides, Thorty repaid him for that nasty hit on Savard. It's a done deal, and that's hockey. Glad to see Recchi back too. Now we just have to wait for the Kessel situation to play out.

Posted by Yar...ah July 2, 09 03:24 PM