Jack Quinn

May 2022 – Quinn had a tough time in 2020-21 in the AHL as an 18-year-old (OHL was shutdown due to COVID). But in 2021-22 he put all that behind him, exploding for 61 points in 45 games and winning the AHL Rookie-of-the-Year honors. He also got into two games with the Sabres, tallying two points in the first one – but suffering an injury in the second one. Arguably the most improved NHL prospect over the past year. – Dobber

October 2020 – Quinn was drafted eighth overall by the Sabres. This can be seen as a bit of a reach because many pre-draft rankings had Quinn outside the top ten. Quinn could push for an NHL job in 2021-2022.  Jokke Nevalainen

January 2020 – At the midway point of the season, Jack Quinn has been making a name for himself and rising up draft boards. His ability to put the puck in the net is impressive although it is worth noting that had he been born four days earlier, he would have been eligible for last year’s draft. He currently leads the Ontario Hockey League in goals with 38 through 44 games, an impressive rate nonetheless. His play along the boards is strong when he is engaged as he understands how to angle off opposing players giving him the best chance to win the puck battle. Quinn’s biggest tool is his shot. While not on the same level as a Quinton Byfield or Alexander Holtz, it is in the upper echelon for this draft class. What makes Quinn so dangerous is his positioning in the attacking zone. He is consistently finding a way to be around the net and avoid traffic. He is a good skater who can pull away from most defenders with excellent top speed but lacks the agility that could take him up a level. Quinn’s playmaking has been okay this season but he has always been a goal scorer so it’s nothing that should be a surprise. Many of his assists come from shots that are left out for rebounds or deflected in front of the net. As it stands right now, Quinn looks to continuing proving that his goal-scoring is enough to take him in the first round of the upcoming draft. His age will be a factor, as one of the oldest players in the draft, but he should still be on most teams radars by the time pick 20 rolls around. There are flaws in his defensive game but he has shown improvement in every other area so there is nothing to believe that he won’t improve in his own end with some good coaching. He could make a team fall in love with him, especially if he keeps this pace up, and make the selection in the teens but he likely fits into that 20-40 range just past the mid-point of the year. Tony Ferrari