On March 10, 2025, the Montreal Canadiens made noteworthy roster changes, recalling forward Joshua Roy from the Laval Rocket and sending fellow forward Owen Beck to the AHL affiliate. This decision marks another chapter for both players as the Canadiens navigate the latter part of the season.
This recall for Roy, described as an emergency move, does not count against the team's limit for player recalls, allowing the Canadiens to adjust their roster seamlessly. Roy, who has had limited action at the NHL level this season, played four games earlier without registering any points. His statistics from the Rocket, where he has been quite successful, tell another story; he tallied 20 goals and 15 assists over the course of 40 games, making him one of the standout players for the minor league team.
Roy recently found his form, highlighted by scoring streaks, including goals in three consecutive games, which culminated with the game-winner against Rochester just two days prior to his recall. "Roy is currently on a three-game goal streak, including the winning goal...," noted the Canadiens’ announcement. With this momentum, Roy will look to establish himself as a valuable contributor to the Canadiens during upcoming games.
Meanwhile, Owen Beck, who took on the role of second-line center following Kirby Dach's season-ending injury, struggled to leave his mark with the Canadiens. During his time on the roster, he recorded just one assist and had limited ice time. Beck's AHL performance tells of greater success; he amassed 13 goals and 19 assists across 47 games with Laval. His recent demotion aims to provide him more opportunities for development, as he can return to play significant minutes back with the Rocket, who lead the AHL standings.
The Canadiens face significant challenges as they pursue playoff positioning, currently sitting three points out of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The team is preparing to face the Vancouver Canucks on March 11, followed by another matchup against the Seattle Kraken. With back-to-back games on the horizon, the addition of Roy may provide them with the fresh legs and scoring potential needed to gain ground.
The ability for teams to shuffle players between leagues allows them to optimize their performance as the stakes rise. Head Coach Martin St. Louis will be watching closely to see how Roy integrates back onto the NHL stage against formidable opponents, especially considering the high expectations after his prolific scoring with Laval. The Canadiens’ fanbase is surely hoping these roster moves will translate to positive results on the ice.
While Beck's reassignment to the Rocket is not taken lightly, the franchise undoubtedly believes this is for the best. Beck's contributions to their AHL affiliate can develop his skills, and he can rejoin the Canadiens later this season if circumstances allow. Beck was named to the AHL All-Star team earlier this season, showcasing his potential and possibly hinting at future contributions at the NHL level. Notably, Beck had replaced Roy on the All-Star roster when Roy was sidelined due to injury during the formal selection process.
The excitement of the recall and move serves as a reminder of the fluidity of player movements within professional sports. Joshua Roy's emergence as one of the notable players from Laval may inspire confidence among Canadiens supporters. Equally, Owen Beck’s chance to hone his skills back with the Rocket can be viewed as part of the normal ebb and flow of development within the sport.
Fans and analysts alike will be eager to observe how these transitions affect both players' trajectories as they aim to perform at their highest levels for their respective teams. The Canadiens will need the very best from Roy to potentially make their playoff aspirations realistic, as they attempt to reverse their recent performances following tough losses. The upcoming matchups loom large on their schedule, necessitating every ounce of skill and strategy as they move forth.