The Montreal Canadiens have no shortage of young players worth watching as the 2026-27 season draws near, but Owen Beck stands out as a name that could sneak up on people.
At 22, the center is still trying to carve out a real NHL role, yet his game has the kind of foundation that can earn trust fast. Beck’s value starts with the details: he plays smart, he helps in the faceoff circle, and he brings a reliable all-around presence that can put him in the mix for more minutes with Montreal this season.
Last year, Beck got into 15 games with the Canadiens and came away with one goal, 24 hits, and a 58.7 faceoff winning percentage. The season before, he appeared in 12 games and posted one assist, 23 hits, and a 53.8 faceoff winning percentage. He still hasn’t had the NHL breakout that turns heads, but the door is clearly open for him to take a meaningful step.
What makes Beck interesting is that his production in Laval has been much stronger. With the Rocket last season, he scored 13 goals and finished with 33 points in 58 games.
In 2024-25, he put up 15 goals and 44 points in 64 games. Those are the numbers of a player who has been solid at the AHL level and is now trying to carry that same impact into the NHL.
That next translation is the key. Beck has already shown enough in Laval to stay on the radar, and if Montreal gives him another look, he has a real chance to move closer to becoming the kind of two-way center the Canadiens can count on.
In Other News...
Canadiens Rebuild Suddenly Has Room For Something Much Bigger
The Canadiens have spent the last stretch of their rebuild doing the hard part well: locking up young talent without boxing themselves into a corner. Montreals recent contract work has given management a cleaner salary-cap picture, and the result is a roster that should be easier to keep together while still leaving room to improve it. For a team still trying to turn promise into something more durable, that matters just as much as the standings.
What makes the setup interesting is that the Canadiens are not simply planning to ride out the next few seasons with a decent young core and hope for internal growth. The structure they have put in place gives them a chance to stay flexible if the right trade or free-agent opportunity comes along, while still maintaining the long-term approach they have preached throughout the rebuild. In other words, Montreal may finally have built enough stability to chase something bigger when the time is right. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Trade Pressure Is Rising As Kent Hughes Eyes One Key Need
As training camp approaches, Kent Hughes is still trying to shore up the Canadiens forward group, and the search appears to be centered on adding another piece who can lift Montreals top half of the lineup. Arpon Basu of The Athletic reported that the general manager remains actively interested in landing a top-six forward before the season begins, with the club continuing to sift through trade possibilities rather than settling for a quick fix.
The most obvious need is down the middle, where Montreal has been exploring ways to add more support to its scoring group. Hughes has not closed the door on other options either, but the market has not broken in the Canadiens favor yet, and no deal is done as the calendar turns toward opening night. For a team trying to keep building around its core, the next move still feels like it could shape how the entire forward group looks once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Passed On Evangelista For One Bigger Rebuild Reason
The Canadiens had another chance to dip into the market for a young forward when Luke Evangelista was moved out of Nashville, but they stayed disciplined and let the deal pass. Montreals thinking fits the broader shape of its rebuild: this is less about chasing every available name and more about targeting players who match specific needs as the roster continues to take form.
Montreals restraint also hints at a bigger plan still on the table. Instead of spending draft assets on a smaller swing, the club is keeping its capital available in case a larger opportunity surfaces later, one that could bring back a more impactful player and better fit the next phase of the rebuild. [Read more 🡒]