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It doesn’t matter what league you do it in, breaking the 50-goal plateau is an accomplishment to be immensely proud about. Some of the game’s most amazing records were based on the benchmark. From Maurice Richard becoming the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games to Wayne Gretzky annihilating that record by scoring 50 in 39 games. It is quite the testament to the goal scoring ability of a player.
The 50 goal mark has been a bit elusive in the past few seasons. Only a pair of player were able to reach the plateau in the 2018/19 season (that being Alex Ovechkin with 51 and Edmonton’s own Leon Draisaitl with 50). In the junior ranks this mark is a challenging target as well, albeit a tiny bit easier to accomplish. If we take a look back to some of the most recent 50 goal scorers at the junior level we can see some legitimate NHL talent.
Perhaps the most notable of these players is Alex Debrincat, who scored 50+ goals with the Erie Otters of the OHL in three consecutive seasons from 2014/15 to 2016/17. Debrincat, an undersized forward, was a goal-scoring machine in the junior level and those skills translated well to the NHL level. Despite those gleaming offensive numbers, Debrincat ended up falling to the second round of the draft as many were focused on his size rather than his skill. A lot of teams, including the Oilers, are kicking themselves for not picking him when they had the chance.
Edmonton might have an opportunity to correct that mistake as Jack Quinn is the latest 50 goal scorer who could be available when the Oilers go to pick.
Who Is Jack Quinn?:
Quinn is a 6’0 176lb right-winger who has spent the last two seasons playing for the Ottawa 67s of the OHL. His first season with the club didn’t show much promise, scoring just 32 points in 61 games in the 2017/18 season, but he burst onto the scene in 2018/19 as he exploded for 52 goals and 89 points. This could be attributed to the 67s giving him a more prominent role on the teams this past season, which included power-play time with, prospective top five pick, Marco Rossi.
His obvious strengths come from his offensive tools. Quinn’s shot is among the very best in the draft class as he possess a quick release that opposing netminders struggle to handle. The shot is not only quick but also accurate which is a deadly combination for a shooter like Quinn. He is also quick good in close as he is able to crash the net with the puck and get around goalies with creative dekes and moves where there is not a lot of room.
He is an aggressive player in the o-zone as well; crashing the net with and without the puck and often being a net-front presence on the power-play. 15 of those 52 goals came on the man advantage. There are concerns when it comes to his overall play away from the puck when in the opposition end of the ice and he will need to move his feet a bit more if he hopes to be succeed at the NHL level.
Much like a lot of forwards in this range, Quinn has a strong two-way game. He is able to support his defenders down low and is adept at breaking the cycle. He is a patient player who has fantastic defensive awareness. His active stick goes further to disrupt plays rather than force turnovers but this can still be an effective trait to have.
Overall, he is a skilled goalscorer who possess a very strong shot and a well-rounded offensive game. The main concerns in his game stem from his play away from the puck in the o-zone and some unrefined skating. Let’s take a look at what the experts are saying:
Mike Morreale (NHL.com): “Scouts have taken notice after a solid summer of training. He’s versatile enough to play all three forward positions and has the offensive instincts to execute plays. He was second in the OHL with 52 goals and tied for eighth with 89 points in 62 games.”
Scott Wheeler (The Athletic): “There’s nothing in Quinn’s game to dislike. Add in dynamic ability as a mid-range shooter, impressive athleticism, and an eye for detail and anticipation, and it’s no wonder he broke the 50-goal plateau.”
Sam Cosentino (Sportsnet): “Takes care of the little details that have helped improve his all-around game. Amongst the best-in-class goal-scorers.”
Jacob Barker (DobberProspects): “His scoring ability is one of the best in the draft class, which combined with his offensive instincts allow him to drive his line offensively and create scoring opportunities for himself and others”
Does He Make Sense At 14?:
It was believed for quite a while that Quinn would be pushing the top 10 in the upcoming draft, but his draft stock has been sliding ever so slightly. Let’s see where he lands on some of the most recent rankings out there:
Corey Pronman (The Athletic): 13
Ryan Kennedy (The Hockey News): 11
Dave Stevenson (Puck Prose): 10
Josh Bell (The Hockey Writers): 10
It looks as though he will continue to push for the top 10 but that sentiment isn’t as solid as it was a month or two ago. He is a skilled goalscorer but many scouts are worried that this season was just a fluke. There is a good chance he slides all the way down to pick 14.
If this were to happen the Oilers could do a lot worse than Quinn. He has a lot of offensive tools that would appeal to the the team and I think they would have him ranked high on their draft list. To put it simply, Quinn could be considered a bit of a steal at pick 14.
Potential Fit with Oilers:
Quinn is a high-risk high-reward player at this position. He will either translate his offensive game into the NHL and play premium top six minutes or he will be relegated to a middle six position where he can play a solid two-way game. One of those options is much more appealing at the moment.
If Quinn is able to translate that skill to the pros then he would offer the Oilers a plethora of options. He is able to play all three forward positions which would make it easy for the team to slot him in anywhere they want. His nose for the net would make him a good option on the powerplay and his shot could make him a great finisher alongside Connor McDavid.
Overall, the potential fit is pretty clear. If he can score its alongside McDavid...if he can’t it’s most likely a depth scoring role in the team’s bottom six. It’s too early to say which role he is trending toward but I would bet on him panning out.
What do you think about Jack Quinn’s game?