Prospect Info: Owen Beck

[ChesterNimitz]

I get the feeling this kid never plays in the AHL. Habs desperately need Owen Beck to be ready on the bottom 2 lines next season.

He may give team management no option. That would be a nice ‘problem’ to have.

Beck, today, is more NHL ready than any other Montreal prospect. But that could change.

 

[Rapala]

He may give team management no option. That would be a nice ‘problem’ to have.

Beck, today, is more NHL ready than any other Montreal prospect. But that could change.

This is exactly what I believe and have said so since camp.
I heard Rob Ramage talking about Beck and he said he wouldn't be surprised if he forced their hand.
High praise from a development guy.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

I’ve been a big fan of Beck since they made the pick, and I loved his confidence in the Habs 24 video where he says he’s the best on the draw in the OHL.

The big thing for me is that he is extremely intelligent to go along with his athleticism. He thinks the game well, and he prepares like a professional already. I have very high hopes for Beck - I see him as a more offensively talented Brian Skrudland, and Skrudland was a terrific hockey player.

A third line consisting of Beck down the middle with Joshua Roy, and a big right winger that can play physical and bury the puck would be tough to contain. If the Habs were able to move up from the Jets pick in the first round, with a combination of picks/prospects to take Liam Greentree, I think you’d have the perfect winger to play on that line. You could even call them the Tree-line as “Joshua,” “Beck’s Tree Farm,” and “Greentree” are all tree related!

 

[Rapala]

I remember the regression talk when he had 1 assist in 6 games. Good times.

There was a reason some of us were praying for a move before he season started.
It came later but it worked out very well for us in the long run.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I have big hope for Owen Beck. I think he will shine at NHL level. He have too good qualities to don't become a really important player.

He will prove that he have good offensive talent aswell. Shot of a 20-25 goalscorer, can put 20-25 assists per year aswell.

He is going to be a very good two-way C behind Suzuki and Dach. If Dach stay healthy and Beck become the player that I see, Habs will have 3 really good C's for many years to come!!

 

[1909]

I’ve been a big fan of Beck since they made the pick, and I loved his confidence in the Habs 24 video where he says he’s the best on the draw in the OHL.

The big thing for me is that he is extremely intelligent to go along with his athleticism. He thinks the game well, and he prepares like a professional already. I have very high hopes for Beck - I see him as a more offensively talented Brian Skrudland, and Skrudland was a terrific hockey player.

A third line consisting of Beck down the middle with Joshua Roy, and a big right winger that can play physical and bury the puck would be tough to contain. If the Habs were able to move up from the Jets pick in the first round, with a combination of picks/prospects to take Liam Greentree, I think you’d have the perfect winger to play on that line. You could even call them the Tree-line as “Joshua,” “Beck’s Tree Farm,” and “Greentree” are all tree related!

It could be a good combination. Roy can play RW too. So a big, hard working winger would be welcomed on that line.

 

[habbubba]

Beck will be able to step in next season and be an improvement over Evans. I don't mind much Evans on the 4th line but that's where it should stop. He does not posses the ability to create offence regardless of his linemates where as Beck has that in him.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Beck will be able to step in next season and be an improvement over Evans. I don't mind much Evans on the 4th line but that's where it should stop. He does not posses the ability to create offence regardless of his linemates where as Beck has that in him.

I think Evans is a good 4th line centre but agree that he just doesn’t make the right play offensively a lot of the time

 

[overlords]

 

[ChesterNimitz]

For better or worse, Beck is clearly Montreal's best forward prospect.

He has the tools, skating, shot and anticipation to succeed at the NHL level. Most impressively, is this kid's intellect and drive. In my job, I deal with a lot of young athletes. Just listening to Beck, you can quickly see, that, intellectually, he is a cut above most athletes of his age. He possesses the drive, discipline and skill to be both a key player and a leader for the Canadiens when the team once again becomes competitive.

Throw away the existing and all too predictable and trite pre-conceptions of Beck being a bottom six, defensive -minded and offensively limited forward. When you can skate and shoot like Beck, anything is possible.

Great draft pick.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

For better or worse, Beck is clearly Montreal's best forward prospect.

He has the tools, skating, shot and anticipation to succeed at the NHL level. Most impressively, is this kid's intellect and drive. In my job, I deal with a lot of young athletes. Just listening to Beck, you can quickly see, that, intellectually, he is a cut above most athletes of his age. He possesses the drive, discipline and skill to be both a key player and a leader for the Canadiens when the team once again become competitive.

Throw away the existing and all too predictable and trite pre-conceptions of Beck being a bottom six, defensive -minded and offensively limited forward. When you can skate and shoot like Beck, anything is possible.

Great draft pick.

I can't see a scenario where he's not a long time NHLer at the end of the day, that much seems sure. He's like Guhle was at the same age, a pro attitude in a teenage body.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I can't see a scenario where he's not a long time NHLer at the end of the day, that much seems sure. He's like Guhle was at the same age, a pro attitude in a teenage body.

This says it all. Beck has the right stuff to succeed.

 

[Team_Spirit]

This says it all. Beck has the right stuff to succeed.

 

[Gillings]

Beck will be able to step in next season and be an improvement over Evans. I don't mind much Evans on the 4th line but that's where it should stop. He does not posses the ability to create offence regardless of his linemates where as Beck has that in him.

I don’t agree with that he doesn’t create offence with any linemate. I think we have yet to see him with any legit offensive players of consistency so the jury is still out.

 

[Naslundforever]

I don’t agree with that he doesn’t create offence with any linemate. I think we have yet to see him with any legit offensive players of consistency so the jury is still out.

He creates offense never. Like never. His 5 goals right now are close to double his usual production. Not sure what jury you are talking about.

He can get offensive line mates once the habs have so many they have no choice but to slot them on the 4th.

2-way center does not mean “defense only”. Hopefully Beck brings way more offense than Evans.

 

[Joe Lamb]

Like Beck alot even though the only times I've seen him play are at the WJC and 1 game in Montreal. I agree he will eventually be ahead of Evans as our centers but no need to throw shade. He is only playing "up" the lineup because of our lack of depth and the injuries to Dach and Dvorak. And he did score 13 in 21-22 . Very serviceable center.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I don’t agree with that he doesn’t create offence with any linemate. I think we have yet to see him with any legit offensive players of consistency so the jury is still out.

Evans has below average to average hands and skill and is not very creative. He is a 4th line center at best on a contender but probably closer to a 13th forward.

He is defensively responsible and good in the dot but he is undersized as a defensive center and while he is somewhat competent he simply is not ideal in that role.

 

[Tyson]

Owen Beck could very well be part of the top 12 as early as next season.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Owen Beck could very well be part of the top 12 as early as next season.

Possible. But if both Dach and Dvorak return heathy and play to their respective capabilities, there will be a logjam at center and Beck could be the odd man out unless the Canadiens make a move.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

It could be a good combination. Roy can play RW too. So a big, hard working winger would be welcomed on that line.

Heinemann can be an interesting option. We forget about him, but he has third line wing write. All over him. Very agressive, a skate and has a helluva shot

 

[MtlSars]

I don't see why/how he starts the season in Montreal next season. No harm can come from having him play in the AHL a little.

Also, we're not trading Dvorak this year will we? So unless we're injured we have Suzuki, Dach, Dvo, Evans in the middle. They'll probably try Newhook before calling up Beck right away...

Wait until TDL 2025 and then maybe move him up depending on how its going in Laval.

 

[Gillings]

Evans has below average to average hands and skill and is not very creative. He is a 4th line center at best on a contender but probably closer to a 13th forward.

He is defensively responsible and good in the dot but he is undersized as a defensive center and while he is somewhat competent he simply is not ideal in that role.

I think for his size he would be a good third line offensive player with the right linemates during his prime capable of 40 points

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I think for his size he would be a good third line offensive player with the right linemates during his prime capable of 40 points

I see very little evidence to support that, he simply is not a very skilled player. He is smart and that allows him to survive but his upside is limited. Of course a player who has a career high of 29 points has the potential to put up 40 points one season if everything aligns just right but that would almost certainly be an outlier and you definitely do not make decisions on the hope that a 4th liner will put together a career season.

 

[Hannibal]

Hopefully he could be our version of Ridley Greig. Third line center with offensive and defensive attribute while being a pest.

 

[Gillings]

I see very little evidence to support that, he simply is not a very skilled player. He is smart and that allows him to survive but his upside is limited. Of course a player who has a career high of 29 points has the potential to put up 40 points one season if everything aligns just right but that would almost certainly be an outlier and you definitely do not make decisions on the hope that a 4th liner will put together a career season.

Not when managing a team, I agree. I like the player, fan of his.