The Canadiens wasted no time bringing Owen Beck back up.
Less than 24 hours after assigning the forward to the Laval Rocket, Montreal recalled him ahead of Friday’s game in Chicago, the team announced. It’s a quick reversal, and a strange one, since Beck had only just been sent down on Wednesday along with defenseman David Reinbacher.
That earlier move had people wondering whether injured players were nearing a return. Beck’s immediate recall muddies that picture a bit, and the Canadiens still haven’t said why they pulled him back up. Whether this is about a specific lineup need or just roster management remains unclear.
The timing stands out even more because it comes on the eve of the first stop of a four-game road trip. While these NHL-AHL shuffles happen, this one landed with some extra weight because of how fast it unfolded.
Montreal’s injury situation is still part of the backdrop. Mike Matheson remains day-to-day, Ivan Demidov and Florian Xhekaj are on the injured list until at least October 31, and Samuel Montembeault is sidelined until at least October 25.
The Canadiens enter the Chicago game at 4-3-2 and are giving up 3.8 goals per game. They’re also coming off an overtime loss to San Jose, which only makes every lineup decision a little more noticeable right now.
Beck has already been used this season when Montreal needed help up front before getting sent back to the Rocket. His quick return suggests the organization still sees him as a useful depth piece and wants him close by.
Now all eyes turn to Martin St-Louis and the final lineup call before puck drop. Who gets in, who sits, and what this latest move really means - those answers are still to come.
In Other News...
Canadiens Prospect Alexander Zharovsky Just Gave Fans Another Reason To Wait
Alexander Zharovsky continues to give Canadiens fans a reason to keep an eye on the KHL box scores. The 19-year-old forward, who is still developing in Russia with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, was part of a recent comeback win over Metallurg Magnitogorsk and has remained one of the more intriguing young talents in Montreals pipeline after a record-setting rookie season.
The start to this season has been a little uneven, but that is part of the patient plan the Canadiens have in place for him. Rather than rush him toward North America, Montreal is letting Zharovsky handle the ups and downs of a full KHL campaign, hoping the long view pays off when he is ready to make the next jump. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Still Loom In A Trade Situation That May Not Be Closed
Trade chatter around the league still has a way of circling back to Montreal, even when the Canadiens are not directly named in the latest twist. Connor Hellebuyck remains a major talking point as the Winnipeg Jets keep working on a deal, and there is even some talk that his physicals could be pushed back while attention shifts to the Heritage Classic weekend. Around the same time, Dylan Larkins name has been resurfacing in broader speculation, with his list of destinations expanding and his market still worth monitoring.
For the Canadiens, the key part is what is not yet there. Montreal is not on Larkins current 10-team list, which does not shut the door on future interest but does keep the club on the outside for now. Elsewhere, Pittsburghs situation bears watching too, since a tougher stretch could trigger a larger sell-off as management operates under a tight budget, leaving this as one of those leaguewide trade stories that could still change shape before it finally settles. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Suddenly Face A Brutal Test Without Their Captain
Nick Suzukis absence is the kind of development that changes the feel of a roster immediately. The Canadiens captain is dealing with an upper-body injury that will keep him out for 2-4 weeks, and with that comes the end of his remarkable run of 546 consecutive games. It is the sort of stretch that underscores how central Suzuki has become to Montreal, not just as its top center but as the steadying presence the team has leaned on through so much of its recent progress.
For the Canadiens, the next few weeks now become a test of depth and adaptability. Montreal has already moved to bring up Owen Beck from AHL Laval, a sign that the club is preparing to reshuffle responsibilities quickly while Suzuki recovers. However the lines are arranged, the larger challenge is obvious: replacing a captain who touches so many parts of the game is never as simple as plugging in one player and moving on. [Read more 🡒]