It's perfectly legitimate to have Demidov, Hage, and Kappanen ahead of Beck.
Myself personally I have no ranking of Beck vs Kappanen, but based on high level readings it seems like it could go both ways.
I asked Grok AI for fun:
"Which Montreal Canadiens center prospect is more likely to have a high-impact career in the NHL, Owen Beck or Oliver Kappanen? What are their estimated ceilings if they reach their full potential?"
Response summary:
Comparison and Verdict
Likelihood: Beck is more likely to have a high-impact career because his game is already NHL-ready, with a proven ability to contribute in multiple facets. His floor as a bottom-six stalwart is locked in, and his ceiling, while not flashy, fits the mold of a championship-caliber role player. Kapanen’s higher variance—due to slower development and less defensive polish—makes his NHL impact less certain, though his trajectory is trending upward.
Ceiling: Kapanen’s ceiling is higher in terms of offensive production and top-six potential, potentially making him a more dynamic “high-impact” player if he hits it. Beck’s ceiling, while lower in points, offers a different kind of impact—elite two-way reliability that’s invaluable but less headline-grabbing.
Who’s More Likely?: Owen Beck. His consistency, adaptability, and current AHL success suggest he’s closer to a meaningful NHL role—likely by 2025-26—where he’ll make an impact through dependability and clutch play. Kapanen could surpass him in raw output, but his path requires more refinement and a clearer runway in Montreal’s lineup. Beck’s the safer bet for impact; Kapanen’s the wild card with star potential.
Here's what DeepSeek said.
Predicting the future success of NHL prospects is inherently uncertain, as development paths can vary widely due to factors like injuries, opportunity, and overall growth. However, we can analyze the profiles of Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen to assess their potential for a high-impact NHL career.
### Owen Beck
- Draft Position: Selected 33rd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens.
- Playing Style: Beck is known for his two-way game, high hockey IQ, and strong faceoff skills. He’s a reliable center who excels in defensive responsibilities while also contributing offensively.
- Strengths:
- Excellent skating and agility.
- Strong defensive awareness and positioning.
- Good puck-handling and playmaking ability.
- Development: Beck has shown steady progress in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) and has been praised for his maturity and work ethic. His well-rounded game makes him a strong candidate for a middle-six NHL role, potentially as a shutdown center who can chip in offensively.
### Oliver Kapanen
- Draft Position: Selected 64th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens.
- Playing Style: Kapanen is more of an offensive-minded center with a knack for scoring. He has a good shot and creativity in the offensive zone, though his defensive game is still a work in progress.
- Strengths:
- Strong offensive instincts and scoring ability.
- Good hands and vision in the offensive zone.
- Decent size and skating ability.
- Development: Kapanen has been playing in Liiga (Finland’s top league), where he has shown flashes of offensive potential. However, his overall game is less polished compared to Beck, and he may need more time to develop his defensive responsibilities and consistency.
### Comparison and Likelihood of High-Impact Career
- Owen Beck: Beck’s well-rounded game and strong two-way skills make him a safer bet to carve out a meaningful NHL role, even if his offensive upside may not be as high as Kapanen’s. His ability to contribute in all situations (even strength, power play, penalty kill) increases his likelihood of becoming a high-impact player, particularly in a middle-six role.
- Oliver Kapanen: Kapanen has higher offensive upside, but his game is less complete. If he can improve his defensive play and consistency, he could become a top-six scoring center. However, his path to a high-impact career is less certain due to the need for further development.
### Conclusion
Owen Beck is more likely to have a high-impact NHL career due to his well-rounded skill set, strong defensive play, and maturity. While Oliver Kapanen has intriguing offensive potential, his path to becoming a high-impact player is less certain and depends on significant development in other areas of his game. Beck’s versatility and reliability make him the safer bet for a long, impactful NHL career.
