Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck (Credit: Getty Images) The Montreal Canadiens are heading into camp with questions surrounding their penalty kill. With Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak moving on, the team lost two dependable forwards in short-handed situations. General manager Kent Hughes did little to address that side of the roster in the offseason. That has opened the door for a pair of rookies eager to seize their chance.
Oliver Kapanen vs Owen Beck 👀
Rookie Oliver Kapanen determined to earn Canadiens spot
Oliver Kapanen gained a taste of NHL action last season with 18 games for the Canadiens. Afterward, he returned to Sweden, where he logged important minutes for Timra IK across all situations, including the penalty kill. Now, the 22-year-old arrives at camp with one clear objective to make the roster and secure regular playing time in Montreal.
Oliver Kapanen Has Been Great At Rookie Camp
Rookie Owen Beck is ready to adapt to the Montreal Canadiens
Owen Beck, the 33rd pick in the 2022 draft, also hopes to claim one of those roster spots. Known as a reliable two-way forward, Beck has shown he can handle multiple roles. Last season, Laval Rocket coach Pascal Vincent experimented with him on the wing during the AHL playoffs, and Beck quickly grew comfortable in that position. This year, he enters with a more balanced mindset, focusing on using his skating and defensive skills to stand out. Like Kapanen, he views the vacancies on the penalty kill as a clear chance to prove his worth to coach Martin St-Louis.
Canadiens’ rookies could help with penalty kill issues
The Canadiens’ penalty kill will be under the spotlight when the season begins. While Hughes improved the power play over the summer, the short-handed unit still has question marks. If veterans like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook continue to struggle with draws, Kapanen and Beck could step in to handle critical responsibilities.Training camp will show whether these rookies can make the transition from promising prospects to trusted NHL contributors, and for the Canadiens, their ability to perform in these roles. And this could shape the depth of the roster and the team’s success this season.Read More: NHL star Leon Draisaitl’s wife, Celeste Desjardins, shares a bond with Mikayla Nurse, the wife of Darnell Nurse