'I Believe I Can': Leafs Prospect's Bold Statement Before Crucial Training Camp
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs prospect Jacob Quillan feels like he cannot only make the jump to the NHL but firmly stay there as his recent comments show a huge wave of confidence.
There's a lot of talk surrounding Easton Cowan and Ben Danford when it comes to the Maple Leafs prospects but there's one who has gone under the radar and who already has an NHL debut under his belt.
Jacob Quillan is not the flashiest, nor is he the most potent forward in the prospect pool however what he does offer is a stable two-way game and plays with a ton of heart, passion and grit.
Why Confidence Could Be Quillan's Biggest Asset at Leafs Camp
Speaking with reporters after rookie camp activities, Quillan was honest in his assessment of how he feels going into the preseason and is oozing confidence; something fans love to see:
Just take every opportunity I can to get better, try to prove myself, and find a spot on the team. I put the work in every day in the gym, on the ice, nutrition stuff like that. So I think I'm looking forward to it this year.
When asked if he believes he can go from Marlies forward to a mainstay on the Maple Leafs; he wasn't shy about his goals:
I believe I can. I put the work in every day, so I'm confident in myself and my abilities. It kind of made me realize what I'm pushing towards, and it showed me how good those guys are in the NHL. They showed that I have a lot of work to do, so it's good to get a taste of that.
Quillan made his debut as an emergency call-up for Max Pacioretty and only skated in one game, registering one hit in only 5:21 TOI; he will certainly be battling for much more ice-time if he earns a call-up again.
With the Marlies, Quillan registered 37 points in 67 games (18 goals, 19 assists).
How His Determination Fits Into Toronto's Roster Battles
Given there is going to be a ton of competition during the preseason, a motivated and confident Quillan could end up being one of the final cuts and earning a future spot in the lineup.
We don't know where Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf or Nick Robertson are going to play, and Cowan is going to make a big push towards earning an October debut, but don't count out Quillan.
He's got enough offensive chops to help with some bottom-six scoring, plays solid defense and is a smart penalty killer; plus his clutch ability at times could boost the team's chances in tough games.
Coming in and feeling like you can make the team is only a good sign for Quillan as no doubt Craig Berube is going to admire his passion, determination and workhorse attitude when it comes to making the Maple Leafs this season.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 12 | 634 ANSWERS 'I Believe I Can': Leafs Prospect's Bold Statement Before Crucial Training Camp Do you think Jacob Quillan will end up being a mainstay for the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 344 | 54.3 % |
| No | 290 | 45.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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