Owen Beck has been playing center for most of the AHL season, but he has been moved to the wing occasionally with the Laval Rocket's reinforcements for the playoffs. Beck still takes faceoffs and plays center in spots. However, he is getting more comfortable with playing the wing. It could be tough for a lifelong center to move to the wing, but the reason he is so open to it is the situation building with the Montreal Canadiens.
The Canadiens could look for external reinforcements to fill their second-line center role. It's also much too soon to slot Beck in that position. They also signed Jake Evans to an extension this past season, possibly leaving three spots filled for next season, with the potential newcomer and Nick Suzuki. The fight for that fourth center spot is intense with Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, and Oliver Kapanen still on the roster.
Beck knows that he might want to become more flexible if he wants to get a spot with the Canadiens. There might not be a spot for him as one of the four centers, and an extended look on the wing in this Calder Cup Playoffs will help him. Grant McCagg shared a realistic take from Beck on Friday afternoon before Game 2 of the North Division Final.
[Beck] said it was pointed out to him that it gives him 12 chances to win a spot instead of four," McCagg reported. "That's a good way to look at it."
Beck could nail down a spot with the big club next season in place of Joel Armia. Armia won't likely return, and a line of Evans, Beck, and Emil Heineman could be interesting. He is likely also looking ahead to the departure of Christian Dvorak, and Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher won't be around forever.
Learning how to play the wing might not pay off as early as next season, but it's a move that will help him in the years to come.
Beck had a successful regular season with the Rocket, recording 44 points in 64 games in his rookie campaign. He also chipped in an assist in 12 games with the Canadiens. His production in 12 games with the big club could also show that it'll be another year of development before he can cash in on the winger decision.