The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have made a wise decision to sign NCAA standout pivot Jacob Quillan, who is emerging as a budding young star with the Marlies.
In a bit of a shocking move, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a meaningful deadline deal when they traded one of their top prospects in Fraser Minten at the 11th hour to the Boston Bruins in a deal that netted them defenseman Brandon Carlo.
Minten had been looked upon as one of the team's future building blocks alongside Easton Cowan, but both players had seen their names pulled into trade rumours with the Maple Leafs searching for impact players.
While Minten was having a down year with the Marlies, his departure left a void in the lineup that needed to be picked up and it was the perfect opportunity for a prospect like Jacob Quillan to enhance his stock.
The undrafted forward out of Quinnipiac University played in 7 games for the Marlies last year as well as his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs. He's up to 13 goals and 28 points in 52 games this year but head coach John Gruden has really liked his progression so far:
'He's earned that,' Marlies head coach John Gruden said on Saturday following the team's 3-1 win over the Charlotte Checkers.'He started off at a certain point. He's a first-year pro. And he continues to get better and better, can play in all situations, he penalty kills, he can play the power play. And he plays a 200 foot game and he's heavy and he's strong.
'For his development to keep going the way it is, it's good for himself, it's good for the organization, and it's good for our team as well.'
With the Marlies jockeying for playoff position, last night's game against the Charlotte Checkers was a big one and the 23-year-old rose to the occasion and netted the game-winning goal in their eventual 3-1 win.
Fellow teammate Alex Steeves who is no slouch when in comes to scoring goals, likens Quillan's ability to rising up to the occasion and scoring big playoff-type goals.
'He's just finding confidence with the puck,' Steeves said on Saturday.'I guess, the compliment I would pay him is that he's probably one of our more consistent forwards at getting in the blue paint and really getting in there and having those netfront goals, which are what I consider playoff goals and really sustainable offense.'
'He's been really opportunistic for a good stretch here and that's filling him with confidence, obviously. I think if he continues to get to the net, he's going to be rewarded.'
With opportunity knocking and the Marlies needing all hands on deck, Gruden and company will be leaning a little more towards Quillan and rightfully so.
His work ethic, determination, and motor is what has gotten him to this point and now with plenty of ice-time to work with, it's time for Quillan to take advantage.
