2023-11-10 14:00:00
Were we a little carried away in believing that Owen Beck has the offensive assets necessary to pivot a 2nd or 3rd line in the NHL?
This is a question that some may have asked themselves during the first weeks following his removal from the Canadiens camp on September 30.
Beck started his season in the Ontario Junior League very modestly; at least, from a production point of view. After six games in his role as No. 1 center for the Peterborough Petes, he had only one goal on his record, and had yet to obtain an assist.
If the offensive numbers weren’t there, Beck continued to take the eye test.
The data compiled by Sportlogiq agree with what was observed: even if he scores at a lower rate than in 2022-2023 (season spent between Mississauga and Peterborough), his numbers are roughly the same in terms of puck handling, and his share of attempted shots has exploded, with on average nearly three more shots directed towards the opposing cage per game.
How is this trend explained? Especially because Beck is one of the forwards so far in the OHL who challenges the opposing goalie the most from the bottom of the slot. In this regard, he went from 124th last year to 7th (from 0.62 shooting average to 1.5).
If the production was not there initially, since the end of October, the 19-year-old center has gained momentum, having blackened the scoresheet to the tune of six goals and two assists to his record during his five last parts.
From the point of view of the expected goals (expected goals) – a data which attempts to predict the number of goals that a player will score by analyzing the quality of the scoring chances that he generates – the right-handed pivot went from 0.33 in his 2nd season in the junior ranks, to 0 .41 following eleven games in 2023-2024. This gives him 32nd place in the OHL to date.
It is true, however, that two assists at this stage is very little considering the ice time allocated to him by head coach Rob Wilson. He’s expected to set up more goals for his linemates, which have varied somewhat since the Petes traded away 20-year-old winger Connor Lockhart because they had too many 20-year-olds within their training.
Furthermore, the Petes do not represent a formidable offensive machine despite their solid record of 8-2-3.
In fact, ironically, they come last in their division in goals scored (40 in 13 games), while they are tied for 1st in the league in goals allowed (36).
Details usually reserved for professionals
If Owen Beck has managed to stand out for the right reasons in each of his two invitations to the CH camp, it is because he has already assimilated details of the game which are normally reserved for players with experience among the pros. .
Whether he finds the back of the net or not, whether his club leads 4-0 or trails by the same score, the levels of involvement and intensity deployed by Beck remain unchanged, as do his attention to detail.
This is one of Beck’s character traits that attracted CH at the very start of the second round of the 2022 draft.
Whether through always adequate positioning, his omnipresence at the bottom of the defensive territory to lend a hand to his defenders or a well-placed stick to abort a play, Beck constitutes a sure value for his head coach.
It is also not uncommon to see him delay the game behind the defensive goal line and help organize the counter-attack.
What regarding blocked shots, you ask? Beck is 1st among forwards, with 1.6 blocked shots per game, he who averages nearly 3 minutes per night on the penalty kill.
Beck’s opponents who attempt the famous five-on-four neutral zone reverse play had better not do things casually, because the Petes’ No. 16, with his excellent sense of anticipation, is always on the lookout and ready to create a turnaround.
True to form, Beck continues to be solid in the faceoff circle, as evidenced by his efficiency rate of 66% in the defensive zone, an improvement of 2% compared to his performance in 2022-2023.
They don’t run the streets, prospects capable, before even turning 20, of covering 200 feet of the ice without sacrificing the importance they have for their team on offense.
In this sense, whether or not he is given an offensive role with Junior Team Canada next December, a second participation in the tournament seems inevitable for Beck.
For obvious reasons, it’s harder for the average fan to get excited regarding the potential of a complete center who might top out around 40-45 points in the NHL than it is for a forward with electrifying offensive potential.
Beck belongs to the first category of hopefuls, and although the “wow” factor is lacking among the CH’s next generation, rest assured that the CH staff has no regrets in having targeted him at 33rd. in summer 2022.
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