Montreal Canadiens injury coverage has resulted in a number of Montreal Canadiens prospects getting an opportunity to audition and make their case that they should be regulars in the Habs lineup. The latest youngster to get his call is Owen Beck. Just after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, the Montreal Canadiens announced that Owen Beck had been recalled from the Laval Rocket, and he was in the lineup against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens
May 25, 2026; Montreal, Quebec; Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Sean Walker (26) talks to Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) after a collision during the second period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Beck Has Patiently Waited for Opportunity to Knock
Owen Beck was drafted with the first pick of the second round in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Adam Engstrom were also selected in that draft, with Slafkovsky and Hutson already well established in the lineup, and Engstrom making the team to start the season. Beck was in competition with Florian Xhekaj for the final roster spot, and it was the fourth-round pick from 2023 who won out. A good soldier, Beck went back to Laval with the right attitude and waited his turn.
The 22-year-old right-shot centreman is a low maintenance workhorse. Strong over 200-feet, Beck is a faceoff specialist who plays a speedy game with high hockey IQ. Questions about his offensive upside limit his potential beyond a bottom-six role, but Beck is the kind of player that helps teams win playoff games and the Montreal Canadiens know it. As veteran contracts end, Beck will have the opportunity to win his place in Montreal, and every audition is vital for him.
Beck was slotted on the fourth line with Jake Evans and Kirby Dach. The cold reality may be that if Beck can can outplay Dach, who has struggled of late, general manager Kent Hughes may be forced to create room via trade.
Montreal Canadiens Injury Coverage List Growing
Owen Beck is only the latest to get an audition in Montreal Canadiens injury coverage. The season began with Oliver Kapanen sidelined, and then when Ivan Demidov was injured, it opened the door for Florian Xhekaj, but he was injured in his second game on October 8th against Nashville. The Canadiens chose to play seven defencemen and 11 forwards for one game, but then elected to call up Beck.
Adam Engstrom was also in the line-up on Tuesday night, in his third game of the season. Engstrom made the team as a result of Kaiden Guhle being sidelined while he recovered from injury. The young defender was deemed NHL-ready in the preseason, and played well in his first game. When Guhle was ready to return to action, the Canadiens pulled the trigger on a Jayden Struble trade, believing Engstrom to have the higher ceiling. On Tuesday, the Canadiens announced that Michael Matheson would not play and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, offering Engstrom a longer period of action.
Mike Matheson (au jour le jour) ne jouera pas ce soir. Owen Beck disputera un premier match cette saison et Jacob Fowler sera devant le filet
Mike Matheson (day-to-day) will not play on Tuesday. Owen Beck will make his season debut and Jacob Fowler will get the start against the… pic.twitter.com/Ls6TE62KFu
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 13, 2026
Jacob Fowler Shining in Montreal Canadiens Injury Coverage
The other youngster in the line-up on Tuesday due to Montreal Canadiens injury coverage was goaltender Jacob Fowler. Fowler has shown himself ready for NHL duty, but was loaned to Laval to start the season, while the Canadiens found a trade for Sam Montembeault. Montembeault was injured in practice before playing his first game, and Fowler was recalled. He has started three straight games, including the surprise call against Buffalo. Dobes was the expected starter after his performance against the Sabres in last year’s playoffs.
Fowler is the goalie of the future in Montreal, that much is all but certain. But if he continues to play well, a Montembeault trade may be another decision that Hughes cannot delay.
Will David Reinbacher Be the Next?
On Wednesday morning, the Habs recalled Reinbacher from the Laval Rocket, suggesting he will be the next to get his chance via Montreal Canadiens injury coverage. This might suggest that Matheson’s injury may keep him out long enough to require reinforcements in the defence group. With the team travelling to Washington, this may just be an insurance plan, but if Matheson is out for a longer period, it is likely that Reinbacher will get another opportunity to audition in the coming days.
Les Canadiens ont rappelé le défenseur David Reinbacher du Rocket de Laval.
The Canadiens have recalled defenseman David Reinbacher from the Laval Rocket.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/pwj98V3VDq
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 14, 2026
The Last Word
The injury bug has bitten in Montreal so far this season, with a number of key players suffering injuries. Fortunately, the Habs have been able to call upon what has become a significant amount of depth to take their places in the lineup. Each example of Montreal Canadiens injury coverage is an opportunity knocking for young players, with Owen Beck to be the latest. Each audition is a chance for exposure and growth, but also an opportunity to convince the GM that it may be in the Habs best interest to find them a permanent roster spot.
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Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images