"That was an incredible pass, I didn't quite expect it," Cozens said immediately following the game. "He found a way to put it right on my tape and that's when we're at our best, we're just having fun and playing with confidence."
Puck possession became a focal point for Quinn late in the season. The speedy goal scorer utilized his skill and awareness to think ahead of the contact and position the puck away from a defender.
"Even though he's going to get bounced, he'll take his hands off the puck, absorb the hit and get bounced," Granato said. "Most players will leave their hands on the puck and get bounced and the puck goes ten feet away."
It's a scene that Granato envisions playing out differently in the future, once Quinn matures physically. Instead of preparing to avoid a hit, Quinn will be the one dishing out the blows. Mentally, he's already ahead of the curve.
"He is playing a more mature game than mature hockey players throughout the league," Granato said. "That's going to be something to watch. You see immense potential in his game rooted in skill and intelligence."
Of course, everyone is their own worst critic, Quinn included. He's not sold on Granato's assessment and is always seeing room for improvement.
"I think it's something I can still get a lot better at," Quinn said. "It's nice of Donny to say that, but I think there are a lot of times where I get pushed off pucks and I'm a little weak on my feet."
For as much praise as Granato has of Quinn on the ice, it's his work off the ice and his maturation away from the rink that is perhaps most impressive. Quinn is a regular in the film room, studying up on not only himself, but the opponents he will be up against.
"I think that he is finding another level and I think he's going to continue to do that based on his habits," Granato said. "He's really engaged in continuing to move off of any plateau he's on."
That will to compete permeates Quinn's entire line and is the driving force behind its success this season. If Quinn's game is rooted in skill and intelligence, their collaboration on the ice is based on confidence and comfort.
"When we have the puck, how he gets open in space and finds the open ice so we can hit him," Peterka said. "His goal scoring ability is off the charts so it's pretty nice."
What's also off the charts is the chemistry of this trio, particularly as Quinn continues to come into his own. It's clear to see that both his teammates and his coaches trust him at both ends of the ice.
"There's no hesitation for me to give him ice time because he's responsible," Granato said. "I say that to players all the time. You want more ice time, be more responsible. Ice time is responsibility. For him, he's a very responsible player."
