Former Quinnipiac Bobcats forward Jacob Quillan signed an entry-level contract on Monday with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Nova Scotia product notched 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points in 39 games, he was second in goals, first in assists and second in points among Bobcats’ skaters.
Today on Daily Faceoff Live, prospect analyst Steven Ellis weighed in on the signing and gave an NHL comparable.
Frank Seravalli: There has been so much talk about Collin Graf being the No. 1 guy out of this NCAA class but with all due respect I think the No. 1 undrafted free agent in terms of ceiling is Jacob Quillan, a Nova Scotia kid who ends up signing with the Maple Leafs yesterday, what is his ceiling?
Steven Ellis: Yeah I think with Quillan you won’t get a guy who can consistently put up 40-50 points a season in the NHL. What you are going to get is a guy who can play a full 200-foot game every single game and for Leafs fans maybe look at a more skilled Pontus Holmberg. Holmberg was a guy I was a big fan of when he came over, he had some good seasons in Sweden before making his leap over to North America and I thought he looked good with the club. For Quillan, he will be starting with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL and I think that’s a good way for him to get used to the pro game. He has improved a lot, he had 38 points last year and this season put up 46, not a huge jump but it was about how reliable he was out there every single game.
Steven Ellis: I think it became clear when he was not putting up a ton of points as a freshman that he would have to find other ways to be effective he is a really good defensive forward, he is not afraid to get physical, doesn’t take a lot of penalties and can play with anyone and in any scenario. He played with Collin Graf and found chemistry there. I was at the Maple Leafs game last night, and I was talking to some people about him and people agreed he would be a great fit and then 30 seconds later, we got the official signing. I’m very high on him, again not a big offensive ceiling but does so many other things that will make him very valuable.
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