The Forgotten Leaf Who Might Crack the Opening Night Roster

The Toronto Maple Leafs have valued the talent pathway for the NCAA, highly coveting the college route as a means for talent in the organization.

Toronto has drafted players who were NCAA bound in Matthew Knies and Joseph Woll, but have also found hidden gems in undrafted college players such as Bobby McMann.

Toronto has always been active in top NCAA free agents who have proven to be good development successes going to collegiate hockey and quietly blossoming into potential NHLers even if they weren't highly coveted prior, the Leafs had been active this year in some of the top names, and ended up with two key players in Luke Haymes and John Prokop.

A player the Leafs had picked up last season may be someone who not only has the potential to be a pro player with NHL upside, but could be a dark horse candidate to compete for a roster spot as soon as this upcoming season: Jacob Quillan.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed center Jacob Quillan out of Quinnipac University in 2024, coming off a highly successful season with 46 points in 39 games for the Bobcats.

Quillan was a dominant force for Quinnipac alongside fellow undrafted forward Collin Graf, who would go on to sign with the San Jose Sharks, both played an integral part in the Bobcats 2023 NCAA Frozen Four victory, with Quillan named the tournament's most outstanding player.

With a solid offensive game in the NCAA, Quillan was also a responsible defensive forward with a strong attention to detail and a physical edge.

Quillan's two-way game made him a highly projectable shutdown forward at the next level.

With his capable all-around game, it was little surprise that Quillan was able to quickly handle himself in pro hockey, being a solid forward in the AHL for the Toronto Marlies, playing well his first pro season with 18 goals and 37 points in 67 games and a one-game look with the Leafs.

Quillan has continued to look like a mature forward who can handle the intensity of pro hockey, and could be skilled enough to grab a role on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster down the line.

Jacob Quillan looks like the kind of player who could be a respectable NHL 4C with the potential to be a 3C.

There's nothing that stands out in Quillan's game and he isn't the flashiest or most inventive player, but he plays with a lot of energy and a strong hockey sense that has allowed him to compete and has shown growth in his overall game.

The Leafs could use a player like Quillan who not only is able to play a hard-nose game, but can be a positive asset away from the puck and do the right thing when it matters, and a younger choice against older veteran options.

As well as a skilled forward, Quillan would also be a cheap replacement on the Leafs bottom-six, and a player who has shown he can quickly adapt to playing hard at a high level.

Plus, it makes for a bit of a fun teammate rivalry; with his Bobcats taking out Matthew Knies' Golden Gophers though this time around they'll be working together with one goal in mind.