‘He’s Earned That’: Why Maple Leafs Prospect Jacob Quillan Will Get More Opportunity With The Marlies

Jacob Quillan is going to get more opportunity with the Toronto Marlies now that Fraser Minten has been shipped off to the Boston Bruins organization.

The Maple Leafs signed Quillan to a two-year, entry-level contract on Apr. 1, 2024. The deal, which began this season, came following three years at Quinnipiac University where he scored 93 points in 116 games.

One of those goals was the game-winner in the 2023 NCAA final against the University of Minnesota.

Nearly one year removed from college, Quillan has appeared in an NHL game with the Maple Leafs, and now has a chance to develop even more with a larger role in the AHL.

"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."

Already having scored in a big moment, Quillan was described by teammate Alex Steeves as a player who scores "playoff" style goals. The 23-year-old has 12 goals and 15 assists in 51 games with the Marlies this season.

"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."

Quillan has a strong opportunity to really develop in the Maple Leafs' system. There's currently no one ahead of him at center in Toronto's prospect pool, meaning he'll get more ice time with the Marlies, which will in turn help grow his game further.

He's already classed as a hard worker, but with the chance that Quillan has ahead of him, it'll be fascinating to see if he grabs the opportunity and runs with it.

"He just works. He's a dog. He grinds in front of the net. He'll do everything right," Marlies forward Robert Mastrosimone said. "A lot of his goals are because he's just been burying and getting to the front of the net as hard as he can, and he's good at it."