What is up with Colborne? Do you think he will be NHL-ready by next season?
I was very excited when we got Colborne, but I have heard very little about him since he has come here.
I was always hoping to have our #1 and #2 Cs as Kadri and Colborne.
With Kadri, at the very least he has been showered with media attention and we all know when he's performing well in the minors, and when he gets his call ups.
I feel Kadri was horribly underused by Wilson; however, I have a strong feeling that he will secure a top-six spot in next year's line-up and will be able to stay on the team and show what he is capable of.
But what about Colborne? How far has he come along in his development?
From what I hear he isn't doing too good in the AHL. Probably won't be with the big club next year. Things could change in training camp, but I think he'll be in the marlies for another full year.
I think he's gone from blue chipper to long term project with limited upside from his disaster of a campaign in the AHL. How he isn't thriving on a winning team is a mystery. Just looks like an even longer shot to the NHL than a teenage Nik Antropov. I'm horribly disappointed in him and wish we had taken Blake Wheeler in that trade. I don't think his ceiling is even going to come close to Wheeler at his most useless and inconsistent...
When you see him on the ice he really stands out; size is not something you could teach. If he could put it all together he could be a real dominant player but it seems like he has the same problems as Cody Franson
I think he's gone from blue chipper to long term project with limited upside from his disaster of a campaign in the AHL. How he isn't thriving on a winning team is a mystery. Just looks like an even longer shot to the NHL than a teenage Nik Antropov. I'm horribly disappointed in him and wish we had taken Blake Wheeler in that trade. I don't think his ceiling is even going to come close to Wheeler at his most useless and inconsistent...
I think he's gone from blue chipper to long term project with limited upside from his disaster of a campaign in the AHL. How he isn't thriving on a winning team is a mystery. Just looks like an even longer shot to the NHL than a teenage Nik Antropov. I'm horribly disappointed in him and wish we had taken Blake Wheeler in that trade. I don't think his ceiling is even going to come close to Wheeler at his most useless and inconsistent...
His absence on offense is a bit weird yes, but he hasn't disappeared at all defensively, at times PKing on the leagues best PK.
He's still a good prospect (ONLY 22), and should have a future in the organization... somewhere. If it's not as a top-2 center, a 6'6" checker would be great.
His absence on offense is a bit weird yes, but he hasn't disappeared at all defensively, at times PKing on the leagues best PK.
He's still a good prospect (ONLY 22), and should have a future in the organization... somewhere. If it's not as a top-2 center, a 6'6" checker would be great.
It'd be nice to hold onto him like we should have with Stalberg but at this point he's a guy you just don't worry about having much of an impact. Let him earn a spot down the line whenever that is.
What is up with Colborne? Do you think he will be NHL-ready by next season?
I was very excited when we got Colborne, but I have heard very little about him since he has come here.
I was always hoping to have our #1 and #2 Cs as Kadri and Colborne.
With Kadri, at the very least he has been showered with media attention and we all know when he's performing well in the minors, and when he gets his call ups.
I feel Kadri was horribly underused by Wilson; however, I have a strong feeling that he will secure a top-six spot in next year's line-up and will be able to stay on the team and show what he is capable of.
But what about Colborne? How far has he come along in his development?
Just saw him at Ricoh from Ice level. I had a nice spot right behind the bench. Colborne is certainly one of the better skaters on the team. Huge strides, and he moves very well in all directions especially for a guy so big. He showed a level of feistiness all day today that I was surprised by. He goes hard into the corners and behind the net, and he has very, very soft hands. works hard when cycling the puck, and is very engaged in the offensive zone. He's a good teammate and sticks up for his line mates.
On the downside, I didn't see him working hard in his own zone often enough, and often could be seen hanging in the neutral zone waiting for the long bomb.
He protects the puck well down low, and has some nice playmaking abilities. He wasn't a dominant player but he is definitely a presence out there.
I think he's gone from blue chipper to long term project with limited upside from his disaster of a campaign in the AHL. How he isn't thriving on a winning team is a mystery. Just looks like an even longer shot to the NHL than a teenage Nik Antropov. I'm horribly disappointed in him and wish we had taken Blake Wheeler in that trade. I don't think his ceiling is even going to come close to Wheeler at his most useless and inconsistent...
It still might have been possible, but the Wheeler trade took place one hour before the Kaberle trade on Feb 18, 2011.
So how long before he contributes to the Leafs, and in what capacity (2nd or 3rd line centre)?
I think how he fares in the playoffs will determine his future. A good showing will do much in terms of revealing what he's made of, but that sandpaper he showed today was nice to see.
Id like to see him as the 1C with the Marlies next season, at least until the all star break.
Far more puck skills than Steckel. Better skater also. Only similarities are in height, and the fact that they are both centres.
Hence, I said more skilled and no they are not just similar in heights, they are both nearly equal in terms of skating and defensively play and I would say Steckel is more grittier player as well. In the offensive abilities, Colborne has better hands, vision, puck-possession and so forth but that won't amount him to do much because he is way too inconsistent, lacks drive and intensity and he is too slow and careless on most occasions.
This is the biggest problem:
He's 6'5 but is not physical, doesn't use his size well, and doesn't skate well.
He has excellent hands and good hockey sense. . .but just needs for someone to teach him how to skate well and to make him tougher.
Hence, I said more skilled and no they are not just similar in heights, they are both nearly equal in terms of skating and defensively play and I would say Steckel is more grittier player as well. In the offensive abilities, Colborne has better hands, vision, puck-possession and so forth but that won't amount him to do much because he is way too inconsistent, lacks drive and intensity and he is too slow and careless on most occasions.
I didn't see a ton of defensive instincts from Colborne's game. Steck is better in that regard. Colborne has a much higher ceiling in terms of offence. Smoother skater by far from what I have seen. The intensity needs to be more consistent, I agree there. He looked very motivated today, just not game breaker good. He's got the tools to be a solid NHLer, no question in my mind, he just hasn't done much to separate himself in any way. Likely a solid number two pivot in the long run. Definitely looking for more during the playoffs...
This is the biggest problem:
He's 6'5 but is not physical, doesn't use his size well, and doesn't skate well.
He has excellent hands and good hockey sense. . .but just needs for someone to teach him how to skate well and to make him tougher.
sorry man, respectfully disagree. He was very physical today, and definitely one of the better skaters on the team.
