The Maple Leafs may already have Calle Jarnkrok’s replacement, and it feels inevitable
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One Toronto Maple Leafs prospect can’t be held back much longer, and Calle Jarnkrok could be the odd man out.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could have a big boost up front within their pipeline, and it could signal it being the time for the Leafs to move on from their depth forwards.
Leafs fans are urging the team to recall Jacob Quillan from the AHL Toronto Marlies as the 23-year-old continues to dominate in the American Hockey League, with 27 points in 28 games, with a recent hat trick, his second this season.
Quillan has appeared in three games this season, but Leafs fans say the rookie is deserving of more playing time, ahead of Calle Jarnkrok on the fourth line.
Jarnkrok’s recent struggles have had Leafs fans say that he needs to be moved out, and Quillan in the system is an internal replacement who makes sense to take his play in the Leafs offense.
Quillan draws a lot of similarities to Jarnkrok as both are defensively sound forwards though Quillan brings a bit more offense and is a lot speedier and younger.
Leafs fans urge Jacob Quillan to get NHL shot, not repeat Steeves error
Fans have noted the risk of letting Quillan walk without an NHL chance, a potential repeat of a mistake last season in which Alex Steeves was not retained despite being a leader on the Marlies, signing with the Boston Bruins and proving himself in the NHL with eight goals and 14 points in 34 games for Boston this season.
Despite his success with the Marlies, including becoming the team’s all-time points leader at the age of 25, Steeves is doing his part in Boston, something Toronto could have used.
Quillan isn’t the only Leafs prospect that fans feel is being shafted. Similar questions have emerged about Toronto’s lack of opportun ity for defenseman William Villeneuve.
The Leafs prospect has not appeared for the main team, despite being one of Toronto’s top prospects and years in the system with the Marlies.
If it improves the team and has a cheap body, fans are urging GM Brad Treliving not to ignore the kids below, and give chances to players outside of their veteran group.
Previously on Hockey Patrol