The Canucks Can Give Jacob Quillan More Than a Fresh Start

A line from Jacob Quillan caught my attention after the Vancouver Canucks acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He said he was glad to be somewhere he was wanted. That's a simple statement, but it says something important. Hockey is a business, and players know that. Still, there's a difference between being told you're part of the plan and wondering where you fit after the people making the decisions change.

Quillan signed as an undrafted player out of Quinnipiac University.

Quillan originally chose Toronto when he was one of the more attractive undrafted college players available. He put together two strong seasons at Quinnipiac, and the Maple Leafs wanted him. But management changed, the roster shifted, and eventually Quillan headed west.

Nobody needs to turn that into a story about Toronto doing something wrong. New management has its own ideas about building a team. That's the nature of the business. But it does leave an interesting question: what happens when a player who once looked like a good fit suddenly finds himself looking for a new place to belong?

It’s a new start for the young forward in Vancouver.

For Quillan, Vancouver has offered an encouraging beginning. He collected a point in each of his first two games with the Abbotsford Canucks after going scoreless in his first four games with the Toronto Marlies. He's also been given opportunities on special teams and a chance to show what he can do in different situations.

Two games don't tell us whether he'll become an NHL regular. We should be careful not to read too much into a small sample. But opportunity matters, especially for a player trying to establish himself. Quillan describes himself as a fast, physical, two-way player who wants to help wherever he's needed. That's the sort of approach that can give a young forward a chance to earn trust. Now he has to turn that opportunity into something lasting.

Can Quillan find a useful role with his new team?

I also think there's a lesson here for the Canucks. Building a roster isn't only about finding the most talented players. It's about finding players who can fill useful roles, giving them a fair chance and seeing what develops when they know where they stand.

Vancouver has plenty of work ahead, and Quillan won't solve all its problems. But sometimes a trade gives a player more than a change of scenery. It gives him a chance to start again with people who see a place for him.

Now it's up to Quillan to show them what that place might look like.