"I would just think (a demotion) means there's more work to be done," forward Owen Beck says. "It's not anything that's going to diminish my confidence."
"I would just think (a demotion) means there's more work to be done," forward Owen Beck says. "It's not anything that's going to diminish my confidence." (John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette)
Another season and another year in which it appears Owen Beck will be close to making the Canadiens, but will have to start the season with AHL Laval.
Beck, 22, had been practising with the Canadiens as of Wednesday. And while he participated in Thursday’s scrimmage, he has been relegated to the group working with the Rocket.
That probably means the second-round (33rd overall) draft choice in 2022 is destined to begin his third season in the minors, although he’ll have one more opportunity to impress management Saturday night, when the Canadiens conclude their exhibition schedule with a pair of split-squad games against the Senators.
Owen Beck handles the puck under pressure from Owen Protz during Canadiens training camp practice in Brossard on Thursday.
Owen Beck handles the puck under pressure from Owen Protz during Canadiens training camp practice in Brossard on Thursday.
On Friday, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis would only say Beck will play in one of the games, declining to confirm whether that would be at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN5) or in Ottawa.
While Beck appears ready for the NHL, the Canadiens are well stocked at centre, making his ascension more onerous. Montreal should start the season with Nick Suzuki, Oliver Kapanen, Jake Evans and Phillip Danault down the middle. Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach can also play the position.
“Yeah, I’ve been trying to do what I can to make an impact every training camp I come to,” Beck said on Thursday. “It just seems like it’s the same situation year after year. I’m just trying to work on my game every day and, hopefully, break through at one point.”
If Beck is demoted, he appears well positioned to be one of the first players recalled from Laval, but that will be contingent on his play with the Rocket.
“I would just think (a demotion) means there’s more work to be done,” said the 6-foot, 197-pound Beck. “It’s not anything that’s going to diminish my confidence. That’s something I’ve built up since I’ve been in pro. I’ve learned who I am. I’m confident in what I can bring. It’s something I’m just going to continue to work on.”
While Beck has 28 career games with the Canadiens — including 15 last season, during which he scored once — the majority of his career has been spent in the AHL. In 58 games last season, he had 13 goals and 20 assists. He was more effective in Laval’s five-game playoff elimination against the Toronto Marlies, with three goals and two assists.
On Thursday, St. Louis said a player can never lose hope that an NHL career beckons, even if Beck spends a third season in Laval.
“You can’t, as a young player, let that creep into your mind,” St. Louis said. “If you give up, you’re guaranteed one thing — you’re not going to get what you want. To me, it’s hard. It’s so competitive. It’s hard to be in the NHL. You’ve got to keep fighting to get what you want.”
This weekend’s games also will determine the immediate futures of Dach and Florian Xhekaj, who can be sent to Laval without clearing waivers, making the rugged winger a flexible roster option. Dach, meanwhile, must wait to see whether he’ll be among the 12 forwards dressed when the Canadiens begin their regular season Tuesday, at Toronto.
Dach, who has battled injuries, is finally healthy and believes he has had a productive training camp. Signed to a one-year, US$3.6-million contract in July — avoiding arbitration in the process — Dach said he’s simply working on becoming a responsible 200-foot player.
“Understanding that not every shift is going to be about offence and creating offence,” he said this week. “Sometimes you have to do the little things right to set up the next line to have success. For me, it’s about putting shifts together and capitalizing when I do get my chances.”
St. Louis said a player’s effectiveness isn’t solely measured by his statistics.
“We’re evaluating how they play the game,” he said. “We evaluate drills, the scrimmages and games. We’re not looking for one specific thing. We’re just expecting him to push and find his place, like everybody else. And then we’re going to try to make the best decision we can make.”
Meanwhile, Russian winger Ivan Demidov was on the ice Friday following two therapy days after blocking a shot with his foot. And while defenceman Kaiden Guhle practised with the team for the first time after adductor-muscle surgery, St. Louis said he won’t be ready to start the season.