Jack Quinn has been arguably the best prospect to suit up for the Buffalo Sabres, and he is just about to remove the prospect label.
On Saturday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Quinn had a game to remember. Though his only goal came via an empty-netter, Quinn tied for second on the team in the plus/minus category at (2), with only winger Victor Olofsson finishing with a higher score.
Quinn also logged five shots on goal, tying for the lead with Tage Thompson. He also created scoring opportunities galore. It is clear that Quinn, who now has two goals in the preseason, is a lock to make the opening day roster.
That said, I wanted to make not one regular prediction, but three bold prediction for one of the Buffalo Sabres brightest up and comers. Here’s what I got.
1 – Quinn ends up on the Buffalo Sabres first line
Quinn earned a start on the first line alongside Tage Thompson and Victor Olofsson while Peyton Krebs, Dylan Cozens, and J.J. Peterka lined up behind them. These were two combinations the Sabres experimented with in training camp, with the Thompson line acting as the first as the Cozens group acted as the checking combo.
While we may not see Quinn atop the lineup on opening night, it shows that he’s impressed enough to warrant consideration. My guess is that he will ultimately take over at left wing, which will bump 30-year-old Jeff Skinner to the second line to team with Casey Mittelstadt and likely Alex Tuch.
2 – Quinn scores 60-plus points
Could be bold, but 2021 Calder winner Moritz Seider, a defenseman, logged 50 points. This tells me a high-scoring forward in Quinn can snag 60 points in his first full season with the Buffalo Sabres assuming he stays healthy.
Seeing how quick and aggressive he is in shot selection leaves little doubt in my mind he will encroach at least the 20-goal mark. Further, he seems to see the entire ice when in control of the puck, constantly finding the open teammate.
3 – Quinn challenges Power for the Calder
We might have a one-two finish this season for the Calder Trophy, and every fan of the Buffalo Sabres will be just fine to see that. While Power also did nothing but good things on Saturday, as has been the case throughout camp and the preseason, Quinn is slowly turning attention away from the first overall pick in 2021.
Overall, expect to see Quinn right up there with Power in contention for the Calder as the 2022-23 season progresses. And regardless of who wins it, know that Quinn and Power will help fuel a remarkable Buffalo Sabres team for at least the next half-decade.