[Rumour] Flames have made an offer to Steve Begin

[Bourque's Twin]

He doesn't want a 2-way deal so he's considering other options.
Once he finds out that he won't get a 1-way deal anywhere he will sign with the Flames.

Having his character and work-ethic on a risk-less 2-way deal is something the Flames could use.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Part of developing players is surrounding players with strong leadership. Begin is really what a Flames 'was' - though his best years are far behind him. I would rather the Flames sign someone else as well, but maybe they tried and nobody of note really wants to come? As long as it is a 2-way, there is no harm in it. Begin is a hard-working vet who doesn't take a shift off - great example for the rookies to follow.

I don't see how making it a 2-way deal really helps. All it means is that instead of making 700K with the big club that Begin will be making 100k or whatever with the small club.

Suddenly demoting Begin and seriously reducing his pay is not going to help motivate him to be a good role model or leader for the kids. If anything that will likely sour him to the idea of playing for the Heat.

While I agree that the rookies should be fighting for their spots in the big team, I think there are few enough spots remaining on the team that the rookies should be competing against each other to win the spot, not competing with a guy in the twilight of his career. Unless of course the plan is to ship some people out prior to the start of the season...

[Enoch Root]

To all those who say they want the kids playing, I have two questions:

1) should they be given spots, or should they have to earn them?

2) would you not rather see all these kids playing together in Abby, getting lots of meaningful ice-time, having success together, and growing confidence in each other? (as opposed to another young guns era where they get beaten and embarrassed on a nightly basis)

[moon]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

To all those who say they want the kids playing, I have two questions:

1) should they be given spots, or should they have to earn them?

2) would you not rather see all these kids playing together in Abby, getting lots of meaningful ice-time, having success together, and growing confidence in each other? (as opposed to another young guns era where they get beaten and embarrassed on a nightly basis)

1. yes they should have to earn their spots but so should vets and based on his play last season Begin showed he was nowhere near NHL level anymore.

2. Probably neither. I would like seeing kids playing where they should and developing rather than having them at the NHL or the AHL based on some notion outside of their ability determining where they play.

I also doubt they would be having much success together at the AHL level if all put down there together. At least not if they are all getting meaningful ice-time with no vets to do the heavy lifting.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

To all those who say they want the kids playing, I have two questions:

1) should they be given spots, or should they have to earn them?

2) would you not rather see all these kids playing together in Abby, getting lots of meaningful ice-time, having success together, and growing confidence in each other? (as opposed to another young guns era where they get beaten and embarrassed on a nightly basis)

Flames have plenty of older/veteran forwards already. The only kid that looks to have a firm spot is Sven and maybe Bouma. They need to open up a spot or 2 so guys like Horak, Nemisz, Reinhart, Knight can make it.

Cammy - 31
Hudler - 30
Glencross - 31
Stempniak - 30
McGratten - 31
Stajan - 30
Jones - 29

[Savvy27]

Seems like a strange decision, but I haven't seen how he is in the room.

Frankly, if the kids aren't beating Begin out with their play (he spent plenty of time in the press box last season), then they aren't ready.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

He doesn't want a 2-way deal so he's considering other options.
Once he finds out that he won't get a 1-way deal anywhere he will sign with the Flames.

Having his character and work-ethic on a risk-less 2-way deal is something the Flames could use.

Maybe the Flames should have signed him last year for character and work ethic because last year's team was lacking both and he didn't seem to make a difference especially in the work ethic department.

Honestly what did Begin do last year? Other than Howard giving him a few gifts late in the season to screw us over?

[CSharp]

Begin is OK, but they need to get rid of Jackman. After that 10+ goal season, Jackman is useless as heck.

[Fire]

Doesn't say much about the rest of the team if the Flames feel they need to sign Begin to a contract because he has good character.

[doctajones428]

I would absolutely love to have Begin back

He is a great mentor for the young kids, good to have for injuries, and good to have to motivate our prospects to fight for that last spot

[tempz]

I hope our offer to him was no more than a tray and a shirt that says "Beer Guy". Nothing wrong with the guy but we have too many forwards as it is. We need to give our kids a chance to develop.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by loob job

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy????????? Let the young guys play.

Quality people help teach the young guys learn to be quality people.

I'd rather have Begin than Jackman, but if he does sign, it will probably force a trade of somoene.

[Caged Great]

If you let all the young players play without good leaders behind them, you get the Edmonton Oilers gong show. You need to have good people to teach the players good habits. I don't mind Begin getting re-signed at all. He's going to be the 14th forward, and will probably only play 20 games. That said, he'll be a positive presence in the locker room and training room as he gives it 100% all the time.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Lmao at Steve begin considering options.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Maybe the Flames should have signed him last year for character and work ethic because last year's team was lacking both and he didn't seem to make a difference especially in the work ethic department.

Honestly what did Begin do last year? Other than Howard giving him a few gifts late in the season to screw us over?

Well, last year's team was full of veteran leadership with the 'core' still being intact. Would be tough for anyone to enter that room and change it. However, after some of the core got moved out, the Flames had much more effort (Tanguay aside) and more full-game efforts. Maybe he was part of the solution that was noticed by coaching/management? Not sure.

Originally Posted by Fire

Doesn't say much about the rest of the team if the Flames feel they need to sign Begin to a contract because he has good character.

Well, in fairness to the team, there just aren't very many leaders left really. I think Giordano, Cammy (who is going to be traded), McGrattan - these are the only guys that pop in as being 'leadership material'. You can argue Glencross as well, but he just seems too emotional and inconsistent.

I am not saying this is a 'great move' by any measure, but I don't see it as a bad one either. He can be the healthy scratch. He can pop in those nights when the team needs a bit more grit. He can also go back down to Abby and provide leadership there if needs be. Don't think he would be a 'sulker'. Heck, Kotalik wasn't a sulker when he got demoted, and got praised for how he was a leader on the Heat.

This team is lacking in quality leadership, and I think management is trying to make sure they not only beef up the lines to take care of the kids, but also have some character on the team that they want to instill in those kids moving forward. Makes sense to me.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS 14s

Steve Bégin étudie une offre des Flames présentement mais veut attendre de voir si d'autres équipes vont se manifester. #RDS

for normal people:
says Begin is considering an offer from the Flames but wants to see if other teams are interested

fixed

[Nittmo]

I don't think Begin would enjoy being in Abbotsford. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the pressbox , readily available to suit up and throw hits and be a pest when the club is short on healthy guys... Would rather see Nemisz or Aliw get longer looks though

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

If you think all those guys are nhl ready then fair enough. I don't, though what do I know.

Bouwma and probably knight are physically ready, and probably not going to suffer sitting in the press box as often as not.

I think the rest need to play, a lot, develop their offence and pro game, etc. not ride the pine whether its for begin or some other young guy. They should be penciled in to start the year in Abby.

I dont see them as press box guys but as guys who play in abbotsford, then brought up for 10 games then send them back for more development. I think that 1 spot on the fourth line and 1 on the third could be used to develop players. When the prospects fall off they get sent back down and the next guy comes up.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

I hope their 'offer' was to "Go **** your hat", and he's considering other options.

[Dx54]

Please don't resign