With The Hockey Writers handing out their annual report cards for each player on the Buffalo Sabres, one writer had encouraging words for Jack Quinn.
Jack Quinn was a scoring machine during his 2021-22 season with the Rochester Americans, but that wasn’t going to happen in this first year with the Buffalo Sabres. Nonetheless, he still put up a serviceable 37 points, 14 goals, and 23 assists to kick off what will be a successful NHL career.
Quinn’s confidence grew throughout the season, and you saw this in his willingness and ability to create chances for others. He also formed a brewing trio with Dylan Cozens and J.J. Peterka, and it’s one that will only get better as they gain more experience.
Overall, Quinn’s rookie year wasn’t highly impressive, but it showed us more than a few flashes of what he will grow into. So much, that Matthew Morris of The Hockey Writers projected that Quinn could score 70 or more points annually once his game fully develops.
Will Buffalo Sabres winger live up to a bold prediction?
When you look at Quinn’s points total from this past season, there wasn’t much discrepancy between them and what Dylan Cozens produced in 2021-22. Cozens broke out just a year later, and it’s reasonable to believe Quinn will put up at least 50 or more in 2023-24, even if annually hitting the 70-point mark probably won’t occur until at least 2024-25.
He still has another season before he’s eligible for an extension, but if his play continues to improve, he will be with the Buffalo Sabres for quite some time. Especially if Morris’ projection comes to life.
The Jeff Skinner comparison jumped out at me in the piece, when Morris pointed out that Quinn’s skating ability was more agile than speedy. And if that continues to be the case, what’s not to say that Quinn eventually becomes a Skinner-esque type of forward on the top six?
Therefore, I will go on record to say Morris’ projection will be accurate. Look for Quinn to hit the 70-point threshold perhaps starting in 2024-25 or shortly thereafter, and don’t expect him to look back.
Source: Buffalo Sabres 2022-23 Season Report Card: Jack Quinn by Matthew Morris, TheHockeyWriters.com
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)