The Maple Leafs announced they’ve added forward Jacob Quillan back to the NHL roster. They’ll need to make a corresponding move to open a spot on the active roster. That could be yet another injured reserve placement for William Nylander, who’s already missed one game after reaggravating his lower-body injury and won’t be in the lineup tonight, either.
Quillan gives the Leafs some extra forward depth amid yet another major injury concern up front – this time concerning top left-winger Matthew Knies. He’s missed the last couple of skates due to maintenance, but did not take part in this morning’s gameday skate preceding tonight’s matchup with the Wild, per David Alter of The Hockey News. If he’s unavailable, Quillan would be needed in the lineup to give the Leafs 12 healthy forwards.
It’s the third NHL stint this season for the 23-year-old Quillan. Across the past two seasons, the undrafted free agent pickup out of Quinnipiac had logged his first four big-league appearances with a +2 rating but is still looking for his first NHL point. The 6’0″, 205-lb pivot has been quite productive in the minors, though. That’s especially true this season, boasting an 8-19–27 scoring line in 28 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
His waiver-exempt status, plus his strong AHL showing, means Quillan will continue being Toronto’s most frequented call-up option down the stretch. A pending restricted free agent, it won’t be much of a surprise if he finds his way onto the Leafs’ opening night roster next fall.