For the first time in ages, it is pretty good to be a Buffalo Sabres fan. The team is riding high after a victory over the New York Islanders, reaching the 100-point mark in the standings for the first time since 2009-10. The atmosphere in KeyBank Center is electric on a nightly basis.
The Sabres still have some things to figure out, but one thing is certain: they are going to need big games from everyone going forward. One of the most important pieces when the playoffs begin will be the contributions of winger Jack Quinn.
A Breakout Season
Quinn has always been arguably the biggest “What If?” on the Sabres. The eighth overall pick in 2020, we have heard all about how Quinn could be a potential 30-goal scorer and top-of-the-lineup fixture. Unfortunately, through a combination of injuries and poor performance, that just hasn’t happened.
That said, Quinn began turning things around late in the 2024-25 season. He has parlayed that into career-highs in goals (18), assists (31), and points (49) – all by significant margins. It might not be quite where expectations had been previously set, but it is growth that can’t be ignored.
Moreover, Quinn hasn’t wavered as the season has gone on. He is still a bit streakier than most would like, but it seems clear that he is breaking through after several disappointing seasons. His ability to shoot can only be matched by a few on the team, something that can and should make him an important piece in the playoffs.
Can He Handle the Rough Going?
When you accept Quinn for what he is – a good secondary scoring option – you can start to see his game for what it really is. The one major concern going forward is how he will fare when the physicality and intensity ramps up significantly.
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The Sabres already lost an important piece to injury, and Quinn’s own injury history is concerning when it comes to being able to hold up against increased scrutiny. In the electric game against the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier this season, Quinn seemed to shy away from the increased physicality.
In the playoffs, he is going to need to fight through that if he is to be effective. The good and bad thing about the Sabres is that the entire core is basically untested in this environment, so we are going to learn quickly about who will thrive and who will sink. If the Sabres plan to make a deep run, they are going to need Quinn to thrive.
Quinn Can Impact Games as a Secondary Scorer
When he is on his game, Quinn can be a dangerous secondary scoring option. He has great hands and the kind of lethal shot that can swing the momentum of a game in an instant. He isn’t Tage Thompson but that isn’t what he needs to be.
Playing with Ryan McLeod and Jason Zucker, two players who do the dirty work while providing a defensive conscience, allow Quinn to be his best. He can find open areas and unleash his dangerous shot with greater effectiveness.
Quinn may also be worth a longer look on the power play given the up-and-down effectiveness of the unit. He has a pair of power play goals this month, and his shot provides an alternative to the “feed Tage the puck” mindset that the Sabres generally employ while a man up.
A Necessary Contributor
While he may not need to take “the leap,” Quinn will need to be an effective contributor if the Sabres are to advance out of the first round and beyond. His progress is in lockstep with the Sabres, as a whole. Hopefully, his development continues on an upward trajectory right along with the Sabres postseason aspirations.
