As happened last night, the Montreal Canadiens were the first team to get on the podium to start the second day of the NHL Incoming Draft. With their first of two picks in the second round, they went with Owen Beck of the Mississauga Steelheads.
Beck is a player with some similarities to Shane Wright because he is not a striking player, but he has a very complete game. It’s the little things in his game that make for a very intriguing addition to the Habs ’prospect group, and he has a very high floor, so he’s likely to eventually become a regular in the NHL.
Mitch Brown follow-up project
A second-round selection in the OHL draft was never striking, but his work ethic, his hockey IQ, and his defensive responsibility made him a key player on an amazing team. Steelheads. Although he missed his rookie season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a major role with them in 2021-22 and amassed 51 points in 68 games, adding six more points in 10 games. playoffs.
He is an above average skater with great top speed, which gives him a high level transition game. Defenders must give him a vacuum to prevent it from happening to them, and when they don’t, he sends them to fight to catch up.
He’s also a monster in the showdown circle, with a 60.6% win rate, well beyond any of his teammates who drew at least 500 draws in the OHL. He was the player they would send whenever possible for key confrontations, and not just for their dexterity.
He is also a very capable defender. The Explorers promote his positioning and hockey IQ as one of the best in this draft class, and he never makes any changes or cheats to try to create an offense. It is as close as you can get to a junior level locking center. There were even a few games I saw him this season and I had flashbacks to Phillip Danault. In a league where the defense is the second violin to score, the first is taken very seriously.
McKeen’s Brock Otten praised Beck, saying: “He’s like a Swiss Army knife. He can play (and excel) in any situation and has an extremely comprehensive skill set. That includes being one of the most dynamic skaters in the draft. Beck’s ability to create separation with his feet makes him extremely dangerous in the transition, however, he shows an ability to make wise decisions and skillful plays at full speed, a trait not present in all draft runners eligible for the draft. “.
The game would be the biggest improvement area of your game. His skating makes him a threat in transition, but he can sometimes struggle to complete plays under pressure or in a hurry. He tends to try some low percentage shots where threading a pass would be the best option. This is something you will need to work on before you get to the next level.
That said, he has a strong shot with great accuracy. It makes sense to lean on this shot, albeit more than you should, and might suggest that there is more offensive potential to unlock. Unlocking that potential is precisely what could push it into a future among the top six at the NHL level, rather than turning a bottom six line.
His production definitely leaves much to be desired at the OHL level, but he was a rookie on a Steelheads team where his top scorer had only 77 points. If his true debut season in 2020-21 had really passed, we could have seen more attractive numbers from Beck, but he probably wouldn’t have been available for Montreal on the second day.
Elite perspectives
The great news is that even if he no longer develops an offensive touch, his floor seems to be that of a reliable NHL center of six underdogs, so anything beyond that is sauce for Canadians. .
You’re far from guaranteed NHL players outside of the first round, sometimes even in the top 10. Beck has the same opportunity as just about anyone on this project to become a regular in the NHL, and that makes him a solid second-round pick.
Given that the 2021-22 season was technically the season minus one of Beck’s draft, it would be quite premature to expect him to enter the Canadiens lineup next season. He should be expected to return to Mississauga and continue his development there with a more important role in an improving team.
He may be approaching the Canadian team’s radar at next year’s World Junior Hockey Championship. His defensive responsibility and positioning would make him an excellent candidate for this squad, and as an increase in offensive production is expected next year, it could be difficult to go home for this tournament.
I love this selection of Montreal. I myself, as well as my colleague Jared Book, took him to our recent simulated drafts, and he was a first-round player in the SB Nation simulation, so there are reasons to be excited about this choice. He could easily mature into a role in the top nine for Canadians, and if his playing skills can be further developed before that happens, this could end up being a choice we consider back as a steal.
A great start for Montreal on the second day of the draft.