Jacob Quillan's usage under Craig Berube showed the Maple Leafs' real priority
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Craig Berube's handling of Jacob Quillan isn't just a lineup choice but shows a culture that may not lie in developing their rookies and is already costing them their future.
With the Maple Leafs season over, at least from a playoff standpoint they need to start giving their rookies more playing time in order to see what they could do for next year and beyond.
Craig Berube gave Jacob Quillan a jersey, not a role
That didn't start against the Canadiens on Tuesday, at least in the case of Jacob Quillan. Playing only 8:26 TOI total, he barely got a chance to make an impact.
For a player who had 33 points in 38 games for the Marlies despite being looked at as a defensive-first forward, there's a strong two-way game there that needs to be explored more.
In comparison, Bo Groulx made his Maple Leafs debut and played over 13 minutes. While he's got NHL experience, he's also not much older than Quillan, and it wasn't like Berube was throwing a 20-year old on the ice.
For Berube it had nothing to do with being ready, and more about being comfortable playing a guy with more NHL experience -- even though it was his first game of the season.
Jacob Quillan's bench usage shows where development stands in Toronto
Toronto still played their stars the heaviest amount of minutes, which is doing the rookies no favours especially in a lost season.
They need to lose as much as possible to secure the best odds of keeping their Top-5 pick, and trying to pretend you're competitive is overshadowing other priorities.
Right now, the team seems allergic to using any Marlies players unless they absolutely need to. Several times we've seen names like Quillan, Marshall Rifai, and William Villeneuve all called up, sit around, then head back down without even a glance.
That doesn't bode well for the development of their future pipeline and doesn't give a lot of hope for their recent picks to want to come over. Even if they prove they are ready enough to play, will they even be given the opportunity once called up?
The Maple Leafs coached for points, not for growth
You're still dealing with potential injuries to your stars, and forcing them out in spite of a losing season is only taking unnecessary risks. Take two or three minutes away from John Tavares, or Matthews, then split the remainder through your rookies.
Craig Berube is playing for meaningless points. Toronto is 13 points out of a wild-card spot with only 34 points remaining to earn.
And that's if everyone ahead of them loses every game. It's not a race; it's a formality.
It's not feasible to run your stars into the ground. While you want to play for pride; you're also playing for the future. Quillan could turn into a Fraser Minten-level player, and we have barely scratched the surface of his potential.
Minten has thrived in Boston with 29 points in 64 games, playing key minutes at centre, and was the NHL Rookie of the Month. Quillan can't crack ten minutes in a meaningless game in March. It's inexcusable.
Boston gave Minten a place in the lineup. Toronto can't give Quillan a full period.
But how will you ever know what they hold if they never get to play?
There's still time left in the season for the Maple Leafs. Not for a playoff spot, but for a chance to see what the future could bring.
It's too bad Craig Berube is stuck in the present.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Chris Pronger emerging as a good candidate to lead the Maple Leafs according to Steve Simmons
Chris Pronger emerging as a good candidate to lead the Maple Leafs according to Steve Simmons
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 11|786 ANSWERS Jacob Quillan's usage under Craig Berube showed the Maple Leafs' real priority Should the Maple Leafs be playing Jacob Quillan and Easton Cowan in the top-six? | ||
| Yes | 630 | 80.2 % |
| No | 156 | 19.8 % |
| List of polls | ||