Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed to reporters Sunday morning that prospect Jacob Quillan will enter the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche for the first time since December 30. Calle Jarnkrok is expected to come out of the lineup as a corresponding move.
“Quillan will go in today, for Jarnkrok,” Berube said. “Just to get some young speed in there tonight, some energy.”
Quillan, 23, has been thriving with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in his second full year of pro hockey. After scoring 18 goals and finishing with 37 points in 67 games last season, he has eight goals and 27 points in 28 games so far in 2025-26. He was recalled for a two-game stint back in November and played one game in December, so Sunday’s game against the Avalanche will mark his fourth game of the season.
Berube expressed belief in Quillan’s abilities to inject some life into the lineup as the team looks to snap a three-game losing streak.
“Like I said, he’s a real strong skater, and, you know, works extremely hard,” Berube continued. “Those are traits that, you know he’s going to be an NHL player here and over the years coming, and it’s his skating and those types of things that are going to make him a good player.”
Berube also hinted that Scott Laughton would get a bump in ice time after registering under ten minutes against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, despite scoring a goal.
“Gives me some options, too, with Laughton. I like the way Laughts is playing.”
The Maple Leafs have a tall task in front of them with the league-best Avalanche in front of them, but the Avalanche have lost four of their last five games, so the Leafs will have a chance to pounce on a team that’s proven to be vulnerable lately.
Puckdrop is at 1:30 pm eastern time.
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