Maple Leafs’ Luke Haymes, Jacob Quillan, John Gruden on loss to Senators: ‘Our best 15 minutes was the last’

It was a hard-fought battle, but the Toronto Maple Leafs dropped the opening game of the 2025 Prospect Showdown, losing 4-3 to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. After the game, Maple Leafs prospects team head coach John Gruden, who usually operates as the head coach of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, offered his reflections on where he can draw some positives.

“I thought there was, in all periods, there were times we were playing really well, playing our game, playing the way we needed to play,” Gruden said post-game. “I thought we were on our heels, all periods seemed the same. They took it to us. I thought we flipped the script. Our best 15 minutes was the last. I thought we played with some urgency. I thought we started doing some little things and make it difficult on their D to break pucks out, so if you’re going to build on anything, that would be the positive for us.”

It wasn’t the result Toronto’s prospects team were searching for, but there were a few standouts during Saturday’s loss. Luke Haymes opened the scoring for Toronto, spinning in the slot, cutting the deficit to 3-1 during the second period. Haymes is The Leafs Nation’s 10th-ranked prospect and appears to be ascending through the organizational ranks.

“It was fast. It was physical out there. I think everyone’s excited for the first game of the year. Definitely a lot of fighting and after the whistle shenanigans, but it’s nothing we’re afraid of,” Haymes said, with a visible cut on his face that came from a blocked shot in front of the net.

Haymes starred at Dartmouth College for the past three seasons, before spending nine games with the Marlies last year. The 22-year-old spoke about his experience in the NCAA helped him adapt to the rigours and pace of professional hockey.

“It definitely helped. It’s a very system-based league,” Haymes said. “I think that really helps stepping into the pro game. Everything’s a little bit faster but you can slow it down by knowing you’re in the right spot and doing the right things yourself.”

Jacob Quillan was the other standout forward for the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Quillan is featuring on Toronto’s first line alongside Easton Cowan and Borya Valis. Quillan was clearly building chemistry with Cowan throughout the week, while Valis’ speed in transition complimented his linemates. The 23-year-old centre outlined some of the instruction he’s received, while being on the verge of the NHL.

“We want to play a certain way but guys have to read and react, make plays and use their instincts. We have a set structure, but you’ve got to be creative within it,” Quillan said.

Toronto plays its second and final game of the Prospect Showdown against the host Montreal Canadiens on Sunday afternoon at 3 PM.