Owen Beck's start to the season with the Montreal Canadiens did not go as planned, but he has found his stride as of late. He has recorded a point in each of his last three games, making the most of his limited opportunities to prove he deserves a permanent spot with the Canadiens.
Beck entered training camp hoping to earn a spot on the Canadiens' roster, but with the team's depth up front, he found himself starting the season with the Laval Rocket. He played just five games with the Rocket before being recalled, as the Canadiens were dealing with numerous injuries. Beck has been used sparingly following his recall, appearing in just five games since making his season debut on October 13.
With injured players beginning to return to the lineup, Beck is doing everything he can to make the Canadiens' upcoming roster decisions more difficult.
Beck making the most of his opportunities
Beck's season debut against the Buffalo Sabres was relatively uneventful, but after being on the ice for an early goal against, he did not see much more ice time. He played just 10 shifts in his debut, limited to 6:59 of ice time. Despite his limited ice time, Beck remained in the lineup the following night against the Washington Capitals but again struggled to make an impact. His ice time increased to 7:46, but he was once again held off the scoresheet and on the ice for a goal against.
With injured players eventually returning to the lineup, Beck appeared to be a likely roster casualty. The tide began to turn for Beck in the Canadiens’ 4-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. He played a season-high 10:25, recording his first assist of the season.
Despite a strong showing in the victory, Beck would not appear in another game until eight days later, when he drew back into the lineup in the 5-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Beck continued to contribute offensively, recording another assist. He played again in the Canadiens' next game against the Winnipeg Jets, and while it was one most would like to forget, Beck recorded his first goal of the season. It was a goalscorer’s goal, rifling a wrist shot past Jets’ goaltender Stuart Skinner.
Beck's role with the Rocket would be drastically different from the one he has with the Canadiens. With the Rocket, he would be playing high minutes on an every-game basis, but with the Canadiens, he is not going to get those opportunities. The Canadiens have too much depth up front, at least for the time being.
Beck building a case for a future role
Beck’s continued development has not gone unnoticed, and if it were a Canadiens team of the past which was not competing to be in the playoffs, he would likely already be a full-time NHLer. At least that is what head coach Martin St. Louis believes.
“It's the evolution of a young pro. Every camp he came, he took a step. He's getting closer. We're a much deeper team. If he was at this stage three years ago, he'd probably be here full-time. But it's based on where he's at and where our team's at. It's a little more crowded for him, but I love that he keeps knocking on the door and pushing. He looks like an NHL player right now,” St. Louis said. While the Canadiens' depth may prevent Beck from earning a permanent spot this season, his recent performances could serve as an audition for a larger role next year.
Beck's game is not centred around offence, which makes his recent performances an added bonus. He is an effective two-way centre with a limitless gas tank. While he is not the biggest player, listed at 6’0 and 199 pounds, he has a physical element to his game. He has 10 hits in five games and is not afraid to get into a fight, as we saw against Pittsburgh. Beck’s preferred position would be down the middle of the ice, and while the Canadiens' depth at centre has limited his faceoff opportunities, he has still won 57.1% of his faceoffs.
While there may not be room for him at centre right now, it might not be long before a spot could open up. Phillip Danault is in the final year of his contract, and while he is unlikely to go anywhere this season, the Canadiens will eventually have a decision to make. If they choose not to re-sign him, Beck could be one of the players competing for that spot. It may not be on the third line, where Danault is currently playing, but Jake Evans could move up to that line, with Beck taking on the fourth-line centre position.
Beck has the playing style to succeed in that role. He can inject energy into the game with his relentless pressure, bring physicality, and chip in offensively when needed. Beck may not be a full-time NHLer by the end of the season, but his future with the Canadiens is still bright.
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