Canadiens Recall Owen Beck Ahead of Sabres Matchup

Montreal Canadiens recalled forward Owen Beck from AHL Laval on October 12, 2026, to provide depth before their matchup with the Buffalo Sabres at Bell Centre in Montreal. The move came as injuries affected the team's forward group, according to Pro Hockey Rumors.

The Canadiens made the recall without a corresponding transaction after Florian Xhehaj became day-to-day and Oliver Kapanen remained on injured reserve, leaving Montreal with 12 healthy forwards, according to Pro Hockey Rumors. Beck was expected to make his season debut if Xhehaj could not play.

TSN reported that Beck would enter the lineup for his season debut after being recalled from the Laval Rocket. The forward had previously appeared in 28 NHL games, averaging 9:33 of ice time and scoring his first career goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in December, according to Pro Hockey Rumors.

Beck, 22, was selected by Montreal with the first pick of the second round in the 2022 NHL Draft. Pro Hockey Rumors reported that he posted 51 points in 68 OHL games during his first season with Peterborough and later helped the club win an OHL title after an emergency NHL appearance.

The Ontario native moved into professional hockey full time during the 2024-25 season and recorded 44 points in 64 games with Laval, tying for fourth on the team, according to Pro Hockey Rumors. His production later dropped to 33 points in 58 games during the following season.

Pro Hockey Rumors described Beck as a two-way center who contributes on the penalty kill and in defensive situations. The outlet noted that his face-off ability remained a major strength, with Beck winning 58.7% of his draws across 15 games during the 2025-26 NHL season.

Montreal coach Martin St. Louis had used an 11-forward, seven-defenseman setup in a shootout win over Detroit before the recall, according to Pro Hockey Rumors. The Canadiens also began a back-to-back stretch against Buffalo before traveling to face the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.