You can exhale, Sabres fans. The first round of the highly anticipated 2020 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone. With the eighth-overall selection, newly hired Sabres general manager and former player Kevyn Adams selected dynamic winger Jack Quinn from the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). So just who is Quinn, how good of a player is he, and what can he bring to the Sabres organization? Let’s read on and find out.
What the Sabres are Getting
For starters, the city of Buffalo will be treated with a real, solid playmaker that has a knack for the net like few others in the Draft. Quinn can take over and dominate games with his superb hands, high hockey-IQ, elite skill set, and strong skating ability which has captivated the eye of pro scouts for a very long time leading up to the big day. Not only does he have a killer release and silky-soft hands, but he loves to score goals and make (highlight-reel) plays. He’ll be an integral piece of the puzzle for the foreseeable future on an up-and-coming Sabres club.
For all his on-ice attributes, Quinn is just as impressive off the ice. Quinn’s approach to games and his preparation levels are also something to behold for an 18-year-old. He’s open to feedback, willing to improve, is a student of the game, and should fit in nicely with the likes of Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Eichel, Dylan Cozens, and Sam Reinhart in Buffalo. Adams had a big grin on his face when he made the pick, and for good reason. This kid is going to be something special.
Statistical Production Aplenty
As a key member of the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), alongside teammate Marco Rossi (who, ironically, was selected by the Minnesota Wild with the ninth pick), Jack Quinn put up a mammoth season in 2019/20. In just 62 games played, he notched 52 goals and 37 assists for 89 points for a 1.43 points-per-game pace and a plus-48 rating.
When all was said and done, Quinn finished eighth in league scoring in the “O” and was likely robbed of a 100-point season. For such a young and talented player, his vast skillset was on display each and every night for all to see.
Quinn did everything and everything he could to help the 67’s this season and quickly established himself a shoo-in top-10 selection on Draft day. It’s an absolute shame the OHL season was brought to a premature end due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds for one of the NHL’s top young prospects. You can bet your hat that the Sabres brass made the trip from Buffalo to Ottawa on numerous occasions to catch a glimpse of him. I mean, how could they not for such a unique and gifted talent?
NHL Ready?
With much of the hockey world still in question due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sabres, like many other NHL franchises will certainly be in “wait and see mode” when it comes to Quinn leading up to the 2020/21 campaign. I’m sure Adams and his staff would love to see him back in junior for another season as he continues to grow and refine his game, but all options will certainly be on the table when it comes to the Cobden, Ontario native. Quinn may even spend some time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with Buffalo’s affiliate club, the Rochester Americans where can further acclimate himself to the pros as he gears up for an everyday role with the Sabres.
Quinn will also have to “bulk up” before he steps into the National Hockey League. The mindset, hockey-IQ, skill, and talent are certainly there, but the physical component will need some seasoning. Regardless of where Quinn plies his trade next season, one thing remains certain, the Sabres have themselves another dynamic talent at their fingertips with Jack Quinn. Get ready, Sabres nation.
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