Jacob Quillan, who’s gonna hit 25 this coming hockey season, is still grinding to prove he belongs in the NHL. For so much of his career, he’s been pegged as “not quite enough” for the big league. But let me tell you, after watching this guy, he’s *so* close to busting through that ceiling, it’s practically infuriating that he hasn’t already. The question isn’t if he *can* do it, it’s why it’s taken this long.
From Undrafted Workhorse to AHL Beast
This guy wasn’t even on NHL Central Scouting’s radar in his draft year. Seriously, completely undrafted! He took the long, hard road, starting with prep school in Connecticut where he was already one of their absolute best players. Then it was on to Quinnipiac, where by his second year, he was easily one of the top guys on the team, only trailing Colin Graf in points. Graf, by the way, is also undrafted but got more NHL time. Funny how that works out, right? After college, Quillan landed with the Toronto Marlies, and it was immediate impact. He was *instantly* good. We’re talking a ridiculous 0.9 points per game in only 40 AHL games last year. Compare that to an old teammate, Lucas Mercuri, a 6th-round pick who was putting up just 0.39 points per game and racking up a ton of penalty minutes, 12th in the AHL! Quillan? He spent almost zero time watching from the sin bin. That’s classic Quillan: quiet, effective, just going about his business, making plays. Maybe that’s why he’s not the first guy recalled; the AHL can sometimes feel like a comfortable home for players drafted for their “Plan B” style.
Glimpses of the Show, But Not Enough Runway
Look, he *did* get a taste of the show with the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing in 23 games. But let’s be real, before March of last year, he only saw ice in four games. He averaged less than 10 minutes per game at even strength when he was up, but he was a regular on the penalty kill. He was a solid center for the Marlies’ Calder Cup run, but the source says he just wasn’t “quite enough” to stick with the Leafs until their center depth got absolutely *gutted* by trade deadline moves and injuries. You gotta remember, last spring, the Leafs were playing some of the *worst* hockey in the NHL. Bo Groulx, who was on some crazy shooting heater, got favored higher up the lineup. The big knock on Quillan in the NHL was that he shot “very, very little.” So little, in fact, that the article argues he’d “never stick, even on the fourth line in normal conditions.” But seriously, was *anything* normal for the Leafs last spring? This “not quite enough” tag feels more like a product of team chaos than a reflection of Quillan’s actual ability. He wasn’t below the team level, either.
So, as he turns 25, Quillan is at a pivotal moment. He’s got the undeniable AHL production, the consistent, quietly effective game, and he’s been knocking on the NHL door for a minute. Is this the season he finally shatters that “not quite enough” perception and forces his way into a permanent NHL spot? You know I’ll be watching every shift to see if he finally gets the long look he deserves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pension Plan Puppets.
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