Senators' Young Goalie Lucas Beckman Is Making His Own

Sometimes a young goaltender has to do more than stop pucks. He has to learn how to make his own way, adjust to new surroundings and give his team a chance to win every night. Ottawa Senators prospect Lucas Beckman is getting some experience with all of that, and his latest recognition suggests he's handling it pretty well.

Beckman was named QMJHL Player of the Week on Monday after allowing just two goals in two victories for the Cape Breton Eagles. That's a nice achievement, but there's something else worth noticing here. Beckman is beginning to put together the kind of consistency that can help a young goalie move closer to his NHL aspirations.

Beckman Is Finding Consistency Along the Way.

Through 10 games this season, Beckman has a 6-4-0 record, a 2.38 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. Those are encouraging numbers, especially since Cape Breton isn't exactly running away with the league standings. That's an interesting part of his development.

Goaltenders don't always get the benefit of playing behind a dominant team. Sometimes they're asked to keep their club in games, make an important stop at the right moment and give their teammates a chance to win. That's a different kind of responsibility. Beckman appears to be handling it.

He's also playing for his third QMJHL team. Changing teams means adjusting to different teammates, defensive systems, coaches and surroundings. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It can teach a young goalie how to adapt rather than depend on everything around him being familiar.

Ottawa Has Another Reason to Keep Watching Beckman.

For Senators fans, this is the sort of development worth following. A Player of the Week award doesn't mean Beckman is suddenly knocking on the NHL door. Goaltending prospects take time, and plenty of steps remain between junior hockey and becoming an NHL regular. Still, the numbers are encouraging, and so is the recognition.

The Senators need to keep developing young players who can eventually give the organization more options. They don't need to rush Beckman or put expectations on him that aren't fair for a young goaltender. What they should want is continued progress.

There will be difficult nights ahead. Every young goalie gets them. But if Beckman keeps finding ways to give Cape Breton a chance to win, he'll learn something valuable along the way. For now, Ottawa fans can enjoy seeing a prospect earn some recognition. Sometimes the best news about a young player isn't how quickly he's moving toward the NHL. It's that he's learning how to handle the journey.