The Canadiens didn’t make many moves at the trade deadline, but they did execute a couple of transactions to place Owen Beck and Jakub Dobes on the roster of the Laval Rocket as the deadline arrived. The demotions followed by an immediate recall of the players ensured that they will be eligible to play for the AHL team during its playoff run.
Owen Beck began his first professional season this year with Laval, and had 32 points in 47 games played. Even at 21 years of age he has a history of playing well in post-season situations, holding a World Juniors gold medal and Memorial Cup title. The Rocket have still done well in his absence, fighting for top spot in the AHL on a team loaded with NHL prospects, and their odds of going deep go higher with Beck’s presence.
Dobes took the NHL by storm in his recall in late December, shutting out of the Florida Panthers in his first game and starting his stint in the top league with a 5-0 record. His play has come back down to Earth in recent months, but he looked strong in Laval this year and will form a tandem with Cayden Primeau in the AHL post-season.
Waivers-exempt players who weren’t temporarily assigned to Laval were Emil Heineman, Lane Hutson, Arber Xhekaj, and Kaiden Guhle, who will not be eligible to play in the AHL playoffs at the conclusion of the NHL season.
