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Montreal Canadiens: Incredible Amount Of Reinforcements Coming Over Next Two Seasons

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol

MONTREAL, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 25: David Reinbacher #64 of the Montreal Canadiens skates the puck during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre on September 25, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 25: David Reinbacher #64 of the Montreal Canadiens skates the puck during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre on September 25, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Jan 28, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Owen Beck. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Owen Beck. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

Owen Beck

Owen Beck looked every part ready to make the roster, but if he wasn’t a sure lock to make the team, he had to be sent back to the Ontario Hockey League for his 19-year-old season. Because of his age, he was ineligible to play for the Rocket, which was the most ideal situation. However, he will look to have a big season with the Peterborough Petes, while continuing his strong defensive play, and great numbers in the faceoff dot and refining his play in the offensive zone.

Beck could likely challenge for a spot with the Canadiens at next year’s camp, but the number of centers on the depth chart makes his ascension murky. Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach and Sean Monahan look to have secured the top three center roles to start the season ahead, with Evans on the fourth line, and Christian Dvorak out with an injury right now. Over the next year or two, many parts will have to move around for Beck to have a spot to play, so let’s assume Evans and one of Monahan or Dvorak gets dealt, there could be a nice spot on the fourth line in the NHL. I believe a year with Laval would be best for him unless he forces the Habs’ hand.

Jared Davidson

Jared Davidson is a very interesting case and a story that grabs your attention right away, given that he was selected in the 2022 Draft, although his draft year was the same as Barron and Guhle’s (2020 Draft). He is a late bloomer, and as a fifth-round pick, the Canadiens are looking for Davidson to follow in 2019 fifth-round selection Joshua Roy’s footsteps, and rise to the top of the pipeline. He was impressive at Habs camp, and I felt that he was cut too soon, but with the depth the Canadiens have on the wings, he didn’t impress quite enough.

His shot is a threat, it’s accurate and he can beat goalies from all over the offensive zone, which can be built around. He possesses good size (6′ and 183 lbs), and he skates well, presenting as a shooting option, whose also a great passer. With two 80-plus point seasons to finish his junior hockey career, he will benefit from a couple of seasons with the Rocket, where he can round out his game, by polishing his play away from the puck. Which is why I think he will be in the mix to steal a spot in ’24-’25.

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