Quinnipiac forward Jacob Quillan (16). Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

What should Maple Leafs fans know about call-up Jacob Quillan?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Jan 22, 2025 6:33 PM ET

With Toronto Maple Leafs veteran Max Pacioretty on the mend from being hit with a puck close to his ear during a play on Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, youngster Jacob Quillan has been called up from the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies. That leaves many Maple Leafs fans wondering who Quillan is and what they should know about him.

Maple Leafs Jacob Quillan’s Career Overview

Quillan is a left-hand shooting forward who is soon to turn 22 years old. He was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and he stands 6 feet tall and weighs 201 pounds. His hockey career took him to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and the ECHC for development. He went to Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, a pretty solid hockey school.

He’s been playing with the Toronto Marlies for the past two seasons. Last season, Quillan played seven games, but this year, he’s up to 35 games. In those games, he has scored six goals and added nine assists for 15 points. He’s not a prolific scorer, but he is a solid two-way player.

Maple Leafs fans should look for Quillan to play an energetic two-way game

If Maple Leafs fans wonder who on the team plays like Quillan, they need to look no further than two players they’ve watched over the past couple of years. One of those players is Calle Jarnkrok (who plays a versatile two-way game), and the second is Connor Dewar (who plays a more physical, gritty, and energy-driven game).

Ironically, in part, his callup is due to the fact that Dewar (upper body), Jarnkrok (groin), Pacioretty (upper body), and Tavares (lower body) are currently out of the lineup. In a nutshell, if Quillan makes his NHL debut tonight (or soon), fans should see him battling hard in corners and on the boards.

Where could Quillan draw into the Maple Leafs lineup if he plays?

If you look at Quillan’s statistics in Hockey Database, he’s listed as only a “forward.” The upside is that he can play center or either wing position. In that, he is interchangeable.

If Quillan plays, he’s likely to be on the Maple Leafs fourth line. Certainly, he’ll be a depth player. If his scoring improves, he one day might have third-line potential. But for now, his job will be to stop the other lines he plays against from scoring.

His strength is his two-way game, although he has shown an offensive upside in college. But for now, he’s a versatile forward who’s learning the game. I found no data on his face-off statistics, but if they are strong or improving, he could get some time at center.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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