Internal Competition at Center
March 30, 2024
By Bob Trask
It’s a good sign for the Montreal Canadiens when they have strong internal competition for spots within the organization. And that is exactly the case when it comes to Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen. Both are RH centers that have continued to develop nicely since the Habs drafted them. Kapanen has played the last three years in a men’s pro league while Beck has played his past three years in the OHL so using scoring statistics as a measure isn’t a good comparison. Kapanen has been lighting it up lately in Liiga, particularly in the playoffs where he has 10 points in seven games. Similarly, Beck has broken out offensively since joining Saginaw for their run at the Memorial Cup with 51 points in 32 games. In addition to their offensive skills, both players are noted for their attention to the two-way game. Extended playoff runs will be a great experience for both players and there is a good chance that both players will be in Laval next year. Maybe they will even get a cup of coffee with the Canadiens. It’s another reason for Habs fans to be optimistic. – Trask