Prospect Info: Owen Beck

[26Mats]

I find Savard has good wheels this year and would not mind he stuck around. I also think we have not seen the best of the rookies, including Kovacevic.

It's because he's good that I'd be up for moving him.

It would be good for the tank and bring back good futures.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

It's because he's good that I'd be up for moving him.

It would be good for the tank and bring back good futures.

He is valuable as a veteran to stabilize the young crew. So are Eddy and Wideman. Of course we won't keep all 3 forever. I see Eddy out the door by this trade deadline if he comes back from injury and plays well enough.

Savard and Guhle should be partners all season long hopefully. Guhle is getting a ton of praise. It is important to have a veteran next to him to help him stay level headed through it all.

I'm all for the tank, this year's crop is so good, it seems like getting a star player here would make the difference in this rebuild between good team and potential cup winning team. However, for that to happen the young talent durrently on the team needs to develop well also. Vets like Savard and Allen help do that.

 

[26Mats]

He is valuable as a veteran to stabilize the young crew. So are Eddy and Wideman. Of course we won't keep all 3 forever. I see Eddy out the door by this trade deadline if he comes back from injury and plays well enough.

Savard and Guhle should be partners all season long hopefully. Guhle is getting a ton of praise. It is important to have a veteran next to him to help him stay level headed through it all.

I'm all for the tank, this year's crop is so good, it seems like getting a star player here would make the difference in this rebuild between good team and potential cup winning team. However, for that to happen the young talent durrently on the team needs to develop well also. Vets like Savard and Allen help do that.

True but Matheson is also coming back. Even if we were to trade both Savard and Eddy at the TDL, we'd still have the same dcore we have now, just with Matheson in Savard's spot. I mean if Guhle, Harris, and Xhekaj can lock down the left side, mabe we trade Matheson instead of Savard and Eddy at the TDL or some time next year...

Guhle's play especially, but also that of Harris and Xhekaj, has really changed the picture.

 

[Jack Skellington]

Owen Beck of today is a better all around player than Shane Wright of today.

Probably, I haven't seen him play this season.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Having Beck ( and Mesar if he's a center at the next level) in the system does make passing on Wright feel a lot easier in retrospect. Beck in particular is looking more and more like an easy comparable upside wise ( the ''Bergeron lite'' ) . It's super early obviously, but I like how this looks ATM.

 

[Habs Halifax]

True but Matheson is also coming back. Even if we were to trade both Savard and Eddy at the TDL, we'd still have the same dcore we have now, just with Matheson in Savard's spot. I mean if Guhle, Harris, and Xhekaj can lock down the left side, mabe we trade Matheson instead of Savard and Eddy at the TDL or some time next year...

Guhle's play especially, but also that of Harris and Xhekaj, has really changed the picture.

Picture didn't change, it became more clear. Those saying our D will be the worse are likely also fans who believe in those kids. Basically taking the easy road with predictions.

Our kids on D are simple more mature than expected. We are a bit shocked due to past failures and time it took.

* Guhle is not really a surprise. The guy is build from the back end out and that holds up well to the NHL game.
* Harris is 22 and already got his feet wet last year. Had a little experience playing against men in the NCAA and was also a mature/leader type on his team.

* Xhekaj is the surprise. His physical game and hockey IQ is well ahead of the curve. Went from terrorizing OHL players to terrorizing NHL players. Pretty impressive.

Suzuki quote: We are a much better team than others give us credit for. Why don't people listen to him?

 

[Habs Halifax]

Having Beck ( and Mesar if he's a center at the next level) in the system does make passing on Wright feel a lot easier in retrospect. Beck in particular is looking more and more like an easy comparable upside wise ( the ''Bergeron lite'' ) . It's super early obviously, but I like how this looks ATM.

Beck looks like the type who can put up offense, play D, and has a filled in frame at 5'-11" and 190 lbs so he is not a miss match physically.

Great all around game and he plays with good intensity. It's early but positive signs. We are allowed to be happy with our kids development. Don't let the past skew your hope today

 

[WeThreeKings]

Picture didn't change, it became more clear. Those saying our D will be the worse are likely also fans who believe in those kids. Basically taking the easy road with predictions.

Our kids on D are simple more mature than expected. We are a bit shocked due to past failures and time it took.

* Guhle is not really a surprise. The guy is build from the back end out and that holds up well to the NHL game.
* Harris is 22 and already got his feet wet last year. Had a little experience playing against men in the NCAA and was also a mature/leader type on his team.

* Xhekaj is the surprise. His physical game and hockey IQ is well ahead of the curve. Went from terrorizing OHL players to terrorizing NHL players. Pretty impressive.

Suzuki quote: We are a much better team than others give us credit for. Why don't people listen to him?

If I listen to him do I also have to believe that about the Hawks who also have 6 pts?

Maybe it's just the first 2 weeks of season and literally nothing has equalized yet.

 

[Wats]

If I listen to him do I also have to believe that about the Hawks who also have 6 pts?

Maybe it's just the first 2 weeks of season and literally nothing has equalized yet.

Would be funny hearing Suzuki say we are who you thought we were in a Dennis Green voice.

 

[zzoo]

Whenever I've heard a given prospect excelling at defence, I'm worried and not enthusiast at all as the images of Chipchura, Leblanc, De La Rose, Vejdemo (and possibly Mysak) come back. Please tell me that Beck is really better than them.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Having Beck ( and Mesar if he's a center at the next level) in the system does make passing on Wright feel a lot easier in retrospect. Beck in particular is looking more and more like an easy comparable upside wise ( the ''Bergeron lite'' ) . It's super early obviously, but I like how this looks ATM.

He sure looks like he will be as good or better than Wright.

Whenever I've heard a given prospect excelling at defence, I'm worried and not enthusiast at all as the images of Chipchura, Leblanc, De La Rose, Vejdemo (and possibly Mysak) come back. Please tell me that Beck is really better than them.

That, only the future will tell, but from what we saw in the training camp, he will be a very good player for the Habs.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Whenever I've heard a given prospect excelling at defence, I'm worried and not enthusiast at all as the images of Chipchura, Leblanc, De La Rose, Vejdemo (and possibly Mysak) come back. Please tell me that Beck is really better than them.

He is.

 

[FormerLurker]

 

[BenchBrawl]

At this point would you trade Beck for Wright? Let's say it's really your call and everyone is watching. Do you do it?

I wouldn't.

Beck is on an upward trajectory, big time.

Wright is full of doubts wrapped into an enigma. Last time things went really well for him was in early 2021.

Disclosure: I wanted us to take Wright (but only moderately so).

 

[Legend123]

At this point would you trade Beck for Wright? Let's say it's really your call and everyone is watching. Do you do it?

I wouldn't.

Beck is on an upward trajectory, big time.

Wright is full of doubts wrapped into an enigma. Last time things went really well for him was in early 2021.

Disclosure: I wanted us to take Wright (but only moderately so).

well its interesting. I have big doubts about Wright so i could say id prefer Mesar than him. But just based on draft position and potential u kinda have to do it

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Sterling Archer]

 

[JustAHabFan]

Whenever I've heard a given prospect excelling at defence, I'm worried and not enthusiast at all as the images of Chipchura, Leblanc, De La Rose, Vejdemo (and possibly Mysak) come back. Please tell me that Beck is really better than them.

From training camp, we can see Beck had so much potential and he is not like the other players you mentioned. Look at the goals/assists this season you can see a young player with great speed, have a very good shot, play well on both end of the ice. Some has mentioned that he will become a Cirelli. I disagreed. Cirelli is the floor. The ceiling could be O'Reilly/Point.

 

[aresknights]

D1 year, let's have him ride the wave a great camp n early start yo his season n hope Missy helps hold him accountable development wise n doesn't just look to use his positives to rack up Ws.
But what I've heard from local scouts about the kid is that he sees the big picture, will work on pro game and develop.
Great pick 2nd rd.

 

[TheGr8Cornholio]

At this point would you trade Beck for Wright? Let's say it's really your call and everyone is watching. Do you do it?

I wouldn't.

Beck is on an upward trajectory, big time.

Wright is full of doubts wrapped into an enigma. Last time things went really well for him was in early 2021.

Disclosure: I wanted us to take Wright (but only moderately so).

After we won the lottery, I bought the OHL package to record Shane Wright's games and watch every shifts of his. I was shocked and not in a good way. What I was watching was nothing that I've seen from him at the U18. So many question marks.

As for Beck, you just can't trade that guy at this moment. Sky is the limit for him.

I wouldn't make that trade.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Owen Beck of today is a better all around player than Shane Wright of today.

Beck is a better all around player than todays Slafkovsky too. It’s not really close imo.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Whenever I've heard a given prospect excelling at defence, I'm worried and not enthusiast at all as the images of Chipchura, Leblanc, De La Rose, Vejdemo (and possibly Mysak) come back. Please tell me that Beck is really better than them.

honnestly i didnt know much about Beck until we drafted him but what he showed at our camp and hes 9 pts in 2 games so far its hard not to think hes a better prospect then those guys were but we all been tricked in the past lol lets just hope our future is finally bright we suffered enough

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

At this point would you trade Beck for Wright? Let's say it's really your call and everyone is watching. Do you do it?

I wouldn't.

Beck is on an upward trajectory, big time.

Wright is full of doubts wrapped into an enigma. Last time things went really well for him was in early 2021.

Disclosure: I wanted us to take Wright (but only moderately so).

Easily.
If Wright puts it all together, he's a ppg center.

 

[JustAHabFan]

Easily.
If Wright puts it all together, he's a ppg center.

It's a big if. I saw a couple of Kraken's games this year. Wright played on their 4th line and rarely used. When he was on the ice, he looked lost.

 

[Goldenhands]

Beck is a better all around player than todays Slafkovsky too. It’s not really close imo.

Slaf is a big talended power winger so its pointless to bring him in the conversation, I think he is already strong on 200 ft and use his size/reach greatly, but we drafted him for his talent and power tools, we didnt draft him to play down the middle with all the responsabilities coming with. Poster asked for 2 players of the same position who are knew for their 2-way game. What I can say on the matter after watching Wright plenty last year is that one plays the right way while the other cheats in term of assignments. There is no float in Beck's game while Wright will cheat on the fundamentals such as hustling, forechecking, backchecking and puck battling. Wright was also often behind the play, reacting to the game instead of being proactive. Beck is proactive, combative and so smart in all facets of the game.

Now regarding their skills set, as someone pointed out, Beck is on an impressive upward curve, he really can explode with his speed and stickhandling skills, he uses his body well and works well under pressure or in tight. Wright on another hand, as I pointed out numerous times, will avoid pressure or physical challenges at all cost, the reason why he is always looking at a passing option instead of carrying the puck by his own, challenging defenders, cutting to the net or protecting the puck. Kid has no clue how to use his body and if he doesnt make significant improvement in term of physical involvement, he is baked, you can go by at junior level, not at the NHL one.

My personal opinion is that Wright is just a chilly player and dislikes the physical part of the game, the same way Drouin does.

So to answer the original question, no, I wouldnt swap Beck with Wright if I could, Beck projects to be an absolute terrific shut down center with pretty legit skills level and strong transitional game. Wright a soft 60-70 pts center if all goes "w"right.