Capitals 2022 NHL Draft Targets: Owen Beck

After going without a first-rounder last year, the Washington Capitals are set to pick at No. 20 in the 2022 NHL Draft and have plenty of strong names to choose from. And after a defense-heavy draft in 2021, the Capitals may want to shift its attention to some forward depth, and one standout option is Mississauga Steelheads center Owen Beck.

Beck, who is ranked No. 10 among North American skaters, had a strong year with the Steelheads, dishing 21 goals and 51 assists through 68 games. His production ranked third on Mississauga, and he also won over 60 percent of his face-offs and played a solid, disciplined two-way game.

Looking at Beck’s assets, he is an outstanding puck carrier with an incredibly high hockey IQ. He can make quick decisions and smart plays on the fly. The 6-0, 190-pound center is an unselfish player and skilled passer, and a lot of his ability also lies in his skating. Thanks to great speed and edgework, as well as his ability to read the ice well, Beck can weave through defenders and be a major asset in the neutral zone and also get to the high-danger areas.

READ MORE ON WHN: Could Capitals Consider Drafting Jagger Firkus?

While he has a decent shot, the 18-year-old still has room to improve and could stand to be a bit more selfish and shoot the puck more rather than overpassing at times.

At the other end of the ice, Beck has great defensive awareness and is able to win puck battles. While he’s not a major physical player, he knows how to win battles and outsmart his opponents. Not only that, but he’s great on the transition and takes good care of the puck.

Washington has plenty of depth down the middle, but Beck brings a lot to the table. His two-way play and puck-carrying ability could be a major asset in the future for the Capitals in the future, especially when it comes to finding the next catalyst on the power play. Not only that, he’s defensively responsible and has top-6 potential.

Overall, Beck is a reliable, interesting option that could be on the Capitals’ radar at No. 20.