Lets talk about Owen Beck

Three months ago, Elite Prospects put out a scouting video analyzing Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck’s game, and potential. 

Now, with the Laval Rocket dominating the American Hockey League, Beck has inserted himself into the conversation for one of the Habs brightest young centre prospects. 

He is speedy - but calculated with his routes - defensively, and offensively, the way he processes has allowed him to thrive with the Laval Rocket.

The thing that stands out most to me is that he doesn’t have tremendous puck skills, vision, or game-breaking jukes. But he does everything with purpose, and never second-guesses himself - if there is a lane he takes it at full speed every time.

Beck, to me projects as a middle-six centre, who is best-suited on the third line, though, if in a pinch, the Habs could rely on him to move up to the 2c post. 

If his offensive upside continues to i crease, then he could develop into a top-six center. But I feel really good about a lineup with Beck and Kapanen together on the third line.  Throw Emil Heineman onto their left-wing, and watch the third line go to work. 

If nothing else, Beck has adapted to the professional level remarkably well. But that is no surprise to Habs’ fans, and the maturity in his game was on display straight out of the gate. Beck is intelligent, cerebral and exceptionally fast. 

I feel he and Alex Newhook would cause havoc together. Just two guys that are so incredibly fast, and very abrasive on the forecheck. A shooter like Jared Davidson, Heineman or even Kapanen on the wing could be fun.

You get the point, Beck is a smart, cerebral two-way center with burner speed, and a devastating release - one-touch, snapshot, wrister and half-clapper, all serve him well - look for him to make some noise at Habs camp in late September. 

But first the Calder Cup playoffs

Before Beck starts thinking about his NHL aspirations, they’ll take the back burner to the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.

Rest assured that Beck is prepared for his first taste of playoff action, the proof is in the level at which he has displayed he is able to overcome hurdles in his first season of professional hockey, it is incredible - he is brilliant and efficient - but plays a simple, hard-nosed game.

Pascal Vincent, the Rocket head coach, has figured out a special formula that has the team firing like a beautiful 1967 Chevrolet Camaro engine on a scorching hot day. 

Laval is white hot, and to add to their fortunes - Jacob Fowler, who recently inked his first professional deal - is going to join the fold, with his first practice with the team on Wednesday morning. 

The Rocket play a back-to-back on Friday against the Rochester Americans - and they face the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday night. I hope and pray that Fowler, No. 1 in the Rocket sweater - will get his first nod between the pipes. 

 Beck has a massive opportunity ahead, and likewise, the Habs have a massive opportunity to watch Beck’s development unfold in front of them, while he faces some big tests in the AHL playoffs, which can be very intense for rookies. 

I think it will be a challenge for Beck without a doubt, but the Rocket have locked it down, preparing for the playoffs by tightening up and being increasingly aggressive on the forecheck, and coming back to defend hard every shift. 

Laval has earned their seat as AHL's top seed at the table, and I expect they will make some seismic shakes at Place Bell this postseason.