Ann 2Canadiens Trade Steve Bégin To Stars, Claim Glen Metropolit Off Waivers
March 3rd 2009 06:17
After acquiring Mathieu Schneider two weeks ago, Bob Gainey continued tweaking his team by trading grinder and fan-favorite Steve Bégin to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Doug Janik. Then, the next day, he announced the acquisition of the Philadelphia Flyers' centre Glen Metropolit who was sent down by the Flyers in order to free some cap space for the return of Daniel Brière and his heavy contract.
A selfless warrior that put the team before his individual goals, Bégin was appreciated for his heart and the intensity he brought on every shift. One of the most memorable event showing his dedication occurred in last year's playoffs where, after losing some teeth after crashing into the boards, the number 22 took some painkillers and got right back to the game. However, like several players on the Canadiens' roster he was supposed to turn UFA at the end of the season. His injuries and age catching up to him, he's been progressively replaced by youngster Gregory Stewart who brings speed, balls, and attitude for $1 million less than the Québécois grinder. After being an healthy scratch during the team's road trip and recent games, both parties came to the conclusion that it would be better for him to get some playing time somewhere else if he wants to have a contract at the end of the summer. There is no doubt that the fans will miss him, but they sure as hell won't miss his penalties that came at the worst possible times: in 2006-2007, it was his penalty against the Toronto Maple Leafs that ruined the Habs' chance of making the playoffs; one year later, his penalty in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, swung the momentum the other way as the Philadelphia Flyers won the game 6-4 after being down 3-1 and knocked the Canadiens out. Hopefully, he will find his place in Dallas.
In exchange for Bégin, the Habs received defenseman Doug Janik who has spent half of his career in the minors, and going from team to team when he was repeatedly claimed off waivers. In the case of the Canadiens, there was a risk that he would have gotten claimed after the transaction, leaving Bob Gainey empty-handed, but Janik cleared waivers on Saturday and joined the Hamilton Bulldogs.
With a million dollars wiped off his team's salary cap, Gainey then proceeded to claim fourth-line center Glen Metropolit from waivers after the Philadelphia Flyers sent him down. Most Canadiens fans were left shaking their heads in incomprehension. After all, didn't Gainey just got rid of a fourth-liner only to reaplce him with a fourth-liner? Those fans fail to understand that the two players don't play the same position. Sure, Steve Bégin can play center to plug a hole here and there, but he's mostly a winger, and after the loss of Robet Lang, the Canadiens were pretty thin down the middle. Glen Metropolit is not only a veteran, he's also signed for next year which gives Gainey one less UFA to worry about. The only downside to this acquisition is that by making this move, the organization has seemingly given up on Kyle Chipchura, a player who was filled with promise until they realized that he couldn't skate in the NHL. Chipchura is also without contract at the end of the year, so he'll probably be gone too.
With two days left until the trade deadline, Bob Gainey has made some minor moves that will perhaps stop the musical chair among fourth-liners in Guy Carbonneau's squad. After Laraque came out publicly saying that he wasn't playing enough and wouldn't be surprised if he got traded, it was Mathieu Dandenault who expressed the hope that Gainey will a solution similar to Bégin for the sake of his career (Dandenault is also a UFA at the end of the season).
Hard work and tenacity were Bégin's top qualities
In exchange for Bégin, the Habs received defenseman Doug Janik who has spent half of his career in the minors, and going from team to team when he was repeatedly claimed off waivers. In the case of the Canadiens, there was a risk that he would have gotten claimed after the transaction, leaving Bob Gainey empty-handed, but Janik cleared waivers on Saturday and joined the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Metropolit will now experience life on the other side
With two days left until the trade deadline, Bob Gainey has made some minor moves that will perhaps stop the musical chair among fourth-liners in Guy Carbonneau's squad. After Laraque came out publicly saying that he wasn't playing enough and wouldn't be surprised if he got traded, it was Mathieu Dandenault who expressed the hope that Gainey will a solution similar to Bégin for the sake of his career (Dandenault is also a UFA at the end of the season).
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