Owen Beck: Evaluating His Potential in the NHL and OHL

2023-08-30 21:17:04

Could we please settle down with Owen Beck?

I’m not saying that to insult him and I’m not saying that thinking he doesn’t deserve the attention he’s been given for months. In fact, the youngster is progressing in the right way and showing that he has the tools to become one of the good players in the NHL.

It’s not for nothing that we talk about him throughout the league as being a super good prospect:

“This is a complete player. He’s a smart player. He’s the type of player, to me, who’s just going to be in the league for a long time.”@MikeKellyNHL has some pretty high praise for Owen Beck. #GoHabsGo @TonyLuftman | @CanadiensMTL | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/9LxtfAvsTz

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 28, 2023

But when some people say he could carve out a job with the CH this year, I find it a bit far-fetched.

He was good last year in the OHL. But it’s not like he’s terrorized the league and it’s not like he’s the most dominant player on the Ontario Tour.

Why rush things? Especially considering that he had a bit more difficult times after the trade that sent him to Peterborough…

Owen Beck is 19 and still eligible to return to junior for next season. Barring a major surprise or unless we see the guys dropping like flies in training camp, he has to go finish his internship in the OHL before making the leap to the pros…

Because there is no rush right now. Absolutely nothing. Let’s also not forget that it’s either the NHL or the junior for him at 23-24 since he is not yet eligible to play in the American League.

Especially since at the moment there is a mini congestion in the center. Nick Suzuki, Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, Sean Monahan, Jake Evans, Christian Dvorak… These guys can all pilot a trio if asked to.

It’s not as if there was a crying need for this position.

So much the better, if Beck impresses management to the point of carving out a position with CH this year. The leaders will have to evaluate which option has the potential to promote its development and if it is the NHL, it will be the NHL.

But if so, he must have a role that will suit his progression. He doesn’t just have to spend a few minutes on the rink a night… He has to get playing time in order to progress. We often say it, but the NHL is not a development league.

Really not even. And we have seen it in recent years with the Canadian, who decided to throw some young people into the mouth of the wolf too quickly.

I want to see Beck shine because he works hard and because he’s attractive as a player on the ice. The Canadiens have a good one in their hands… But we have to find a way to frame it properly.

I would like that, me, to see him break everything in the OHL during the next season. I would like that, to see him wear the uniform of Canada and have an important role at the next World Junior Championship.

In the end, it is the Canadian who will make the ultimate decision, but whatever it is, the speech remains the same.

A decision should be made with the aim of helping him, and not the other way around.

A lot of

– Really cool, this news.

Abby Newhook, the sister of new Canadiens forward Alex Newhook, named captain of Boston College women’s team. #Habs #HasIO

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) August 30, 2023

– Carl Hagelin announces his retirement.

Carl Hagelin, a favorite of mine from our #NYR days, is announcing his retirement from the NHL. He said his eye injury is too severe to continue playing.

Such a good, smart player. And a super guy.

Wish Hagelin all the best moving forward.

— Jim Cerny (@JimCerny) August 30, 2023

– I like ideas.

The new rules:

• A team will remain shorthanded even if the opposing team score a goal.
• A minor penalty will be served even if a goal is scored while a delayed penalty is pending.
• If a shorthanded team scores, the minor penalty against will end.

— Gord Miller ???????????? (@GMillerTSN) August 30, 2023

– It will be a great experience.