Canadiens Owen Beck: Scouting Report, Where He Will Fit Into The Lineup and more..
Centre Owen Beck from the OHL's Mississauga Steelheads was selected overall in the round of the 2022 NHL Draft at the Centre Bell in Montreal, Quebec by the hometown �Habs'.
According to scouts and coaches Beck has a high hockey IQ which allows him to process plays quickly, he is also adept at creating space, with powerful skating to get out of danger, allowing Beck to stop on a dime and scan for options before firing a pass, or making a head fake, before accelerating up the ice.
In terms of an NHL ceiling, or perspective comparable NHL player, Beck's frame resembles a Dawson Mercer (6'0» and 179 lbs), Troy Terry (6'0» and 181 lbs) and Nathan MacKinnon; these are size comparables, and not skill comparisons. Beck plays a responsible two-way game, and earns offense through his honest defensive play - an ideal comparison or NHL player to model the young centre's game after might be a Bergeron, (Sam) Reinhart and even teammate Nick Suzuki. Fret not fans, as Beck will be given the proper amount of time to develop, and thrive at the professional level in the future.
Kent Hughes spoke about his selections at the NHL Draft, citing , while explaining why Beck was ranked where he was on the Canadiens draft board. He felt that Beck would , developing his all-around skills to maximize his NHL potential, and skillset could earn him a role in the Canadiens top-six in the future. Beck is a coaches dream, he was a pivot on both the pk, and pp in Missisauga.
Beck projects as a second-line center at the NHL level, while he isn't offensively dynamic, his ceiling (potential wise) projects to be a two-way centreman, with top-six upside. He plays a responsible game, and when leaned on by (Steelheads coach) , Beck managed a plus/minus. Owen Beck stands 6'0» tall and weighs 190 lbs., his play style, frame and skating resemble that of a Dawson Mercer (New Jersey Devils) and his speedy skating - not as explosive, but utilizes his skating; much like Nathan MacKinnon to evade defenders.
Some areas for improvement for Beck are to add muscle to his frame and get games under his belt, as he's only played . If he addresses these issues - which Hughes, Gorton and Nicholas are adamant on developing players to their full potential, so his odds are good of that happening, he could become a staple in the top-six down the middle in Montreal for years to come. Beck wont hurt you, his high IQ and his skills will allow for him to play a responsible game, transition the puck up the ice and creat chances using deceptive passes, crafty dekes or firing heavy, accurate shots at goaltenders.
Through 68 OHL games, Beck posted 21 goals, 30 assists for 51 points in his first season with the Mississauga Steelheads. Hughes and Gorton will certainly monitor Beck's 2022-23 OHL season, as his development is a priority, and his development curve as a Canadiens prospect is set to begin come NHL training camp.
Tune-in to Canadiens training camp in late August to watch Beck, and other Canadiens prospects compete for a spot on the Canadiens opening night roster.
