Owen Beck, a prospect for the Montreal Canadiens, has experienced a notable increase in scoring since joining the Saginaw Spirit, his new team. While this might surprise some, particularly when comparing it to Beck’s scoring performance with the Peterborough Petes, it was somewhat foreseeable. The significance of considering context in such scenarios, as emphasized in our recent discussions, remains crucial.
“Many have doubted Beck’s offensive prowess, but the well-rounded centre has shown time and again that he can produce whenever he’s put in a situation that’s conducive to scoring.”
During his tenure with the Mississauga Steelheads, Beck maintained a scoring rate of over 1.35 points per game. However, after being traded to the Peterborough Petes last season, his scoring output dropped to just 0.83 points per game. Observers familiar with Beck’s play for the Petes understand that this decline wasn’t a result of him forgetting how to score; rather, he was primarily fulfilling the role of a shutdown center.
In essence, the circumstances were not conducive to maximizing his scoring potential.
In the current season, Beck’s scoring rate with the Petes has seen improvement, reaching 1.2 points per game—a positive change but still below expectations for a 19-year-old drafted center with an NHL contract.
Since his move to the Saginaw Spirit, however, his performance has once again seen a substantial improvement.
Josh Bloom sends across his third assist to Owen Beck, who dropped a six point night.
The top line of Owen Beck (#GoHabsGo ), Josh Bloom (#Canucks), and Michael Misa (25') have combined for 12 points tonight. pic.twitter.com/qCzLPz78LA
— Dave Hall (@hall1289) January 11, 2024
In his three games with Saginaw, Beck has notched three goals and six assists, elevating his production to an impressive three points per game. While it’s unlikely for him to sustain such a high production rate, this situation provides an opportune moment to emphasize the significance of a prospect’s usage when assessing their performance.
David St-Louis, a respected prospect analyst, emphasized this point on Saturday night. Context, he noted, is often the most crucial factor in evaluating a prospect’s results.
With Beck now part of a formidable roster with adequate support, he can focus more on scoring. This is a notable shift from his previous lineups where his responsibilities leaned more toward defensive play.
I keep repeating this, but we underestimate how much context (teams, lines, systems…) influence production even in junior hockey. Yes, truly elite prospects score wherever, but the vast majority of even top players need the right support. https://t.co/DSs59ZSS7v
— David St-Louis (@DavidSt_Louis) January 14, 2024
Moving Forward with Montreal Canadiens Prospects
The lesson holds significance when considering certain NHL players, like Jonathan Drouin, and crucial prospects in the midst of development under less-than-ideal circumstances, such as David Reinbacher.
Drouin, currently with 10 goals and 14 assists for the Colorado Avalanche this season, did not suddenly lose his scoring abilities during his time in Montreal. However, playing alongside more skilled linemates in Colorado has allowed him more shot opportunities, resulting in a higher goal-scoring output compared to his last three seasons with the Canadiens.
Given this perspective, caution is warranted when evaluating Reinbacher’s performance with Kloten.
The team is facing challenges, evident in the mid-season dismissal of the coaching staff. Unfortunately for Reinbacher, the subsequent coaching changes couldn’t overcome the team’s talent deficiencies, leading to a worsening situation.
Quick update on David Reinbacher.
We waited but the coaching change did not solve anything collectively. Kloten really on a path to play for relegation at that point.
1 win in their last 10.
6 goals scored in their last 5 games. Hard to get points when no one is scoring.— Thibaud Chatel (@Thibaud_Chatel) January 9, 2024
Keeping this in perspective, it’s crucial to acknowledge that while Reinbacher’s lack of production raises concerns, it’s unrealistic to anticipate him thriving in a challenging situation. The objective is not to excuse his limited points or sluggish start this season, but rather to provide an explanation for the lack of improvement in results.
A comparable scenario unfolded with Juraj Slafkovsky last season.
Given the least ice time among regularly used players, Slafkovsky struggled to find his rhythm. However, with increased minutes and better linemates this season, his confidence has surged, leading to improved production.
Once the Montreal Canadiens extract Reinbacher from the challenging Swiss situation, there’s an expectation that things could and should improve, driven by enhanced usage. The likelihood is that they will assign him to the Laval Rocket as soon as his season concludes.
This underscores the paramount importance of considering context when evaluating hockey players, particularly in discussions about top prospects.
