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...
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?
Please be realistic. Your #1 and #2 will be #2 and #3, and only if we're lucky and they reach their potential. Colborne could be a nice 3rd line center in a year or two. But it' s hard to tell if he has what it takes to make the jump yet.
Im going to venture to guess that roughly 85-90% of the people that posted on this thread, havent seen Colborne play with the Marlies. Hes not playing bad. Hes playing quite well actually, hes creating chances, being a bit more physical and working on his defensive game a bit more. Just snake bit like a mother... Look at Kulemin from this season. Hes been playing well, just not putting up the points you'd obviously like him to. Asking people around here you'd think hes the Brett Lebda of forwards.
Im going to venture to guess that roughly 85-90% of the people that posted on this thread, havent seen Colborne play with the Marlies. Hes not playing bad. Hes playing quite well actually, hes creating chances, being a bit more physical and working on his defensive game a bit more. Just snake bit like a mother... Look at Kulemin from this season. Hes been playing well, just not putting up the points you'd obviously like him to. Asking people around here you'd think hes the Brett Lebda of forwards.
He does tend to "blend in" from time to time, but lately he has been very noticable. I think it has to do with his linemates a bit, Scott and Wilson aren't exactly the most offensively minded marlies. When he was on the line with Deschamps i saw a much more dynamic colbourne who drove the net hard and made smart cycling plays. But still, linemates shouldn't be an excuse for being invisible. I think he'll be a go to guy in the playoffs, maybe he'll be the second line center with frattin and deschamps? Dupris shoudl really play the 3rd line shutdown role, even though he's been offensively hot lately.
He does tend to "blend in" from time to time, but lately he has been very noticable. I think it has to do with his linemates a bit, Scott and Wilson aren't exactly the most offensively minded marlies. When he was on the line with Deschamps i saw a much more dynamic colbourne who drove the net hard and made smart cycling plays. But still, linemates shouldn't be an excuse for being invisible at times.
I dunno about that. Maybe the coach has told the line to change their play style (probably not) but I think the reason Colborne's struggling IS because of the players. From the games I've seen, Scott seems to want to shoot the puck most of the time and because of that, I think teams are catching up to what he's gonna do. And just like you said, his linemates aren't particularly offensive. Maybe this is the reason why Colborne hasn't been producing.
I dunno about that. Maybe the coach has told the line to change their play style (probably not) but I think the reason Colborne's struggling IS because of the players. From the games I've seen, Scott seems to want to shoot the puck most of the time and because of that, I think teams are catching up to what he's gonna do. And just like you said, his linemates aren't particularly offensive. Maybe this is the reason why Colborne hasn't been producing.
I think its probably both. I think Dallas wants Colbourne to learn defensive responsiblities this season and so put him on a "shutdown" type third line after being sent down. I am intrigued where he'll be in the playoffs, if he continues playing with Scott and Wilson or he goes to the first/second line with kadri and Ashton/ Frattin.
I'm kind of surprised people still see him as a possible 2C. I think his potential has fallen to a solid 3C who has some skill and can chip in maybe 40 points a year, probably less.
I'm thinking he could be somewhere between Antropov and Ponikarovsky, that is a skilled but not too effective offensive forward whose real value is in his Wong span and a heavy cycle game. Not a huge impact but a solid citizen who I'd nonetheless a bit of a disappointment because his tools suggest he could be more.
Played strong for the Marlies when he was acquired: 20 games, 16 points. Played even better to start the year, but has since fallen off.
Is he the player he was at the top of his game? Or the player he is when he isn't producing? Someone said he's likely in between what he's shown so far, which could be the case. He does sort of remind me of Antropov, but to me, he moves quicker.
Has 54 points in 83 career games with the Marlies. Not ideal numbers you expect from a future top line talent, but it's depends on how you value the development of players. If he comes out and scores 70 points in 80 AHL games next does that make him a top prospect again?
He has the tools IMO. I think he's going to be a player in some capacity if he continues to fill out. Whether or not he's a top six or bottom six is really up to him. He's been very impressive when he's at the top of his game. Perhaps he finds that consistency with more maturity and experience? The pessimistic view on that would say it's been the knock on his game since he was drafted so why would it change now if it hasn't in X amount of years?
He seemed to peter out since his first call up and was injured for much of the year. I would say his skating has improved greatly but he needs to get his weight and strength up another 10-15 lbs or muscle from his 220 weight.
He is not a #1 centre and Kadri is much closer to that (if they let him play centre) as he has true elite skills whcih is often flashes. Colborne is much closer to a Jordan Staal 3rd line guy who will chip in 10-15 goals in that role. His size is dominant, he can check with his reach and I like him in that role with the leafs, much like a Steckel. He isnt great on face offs yet, an area he needs to focus. Dont be surprised if they go with Colborne/Steckel as the #3/4 or #4/3 next year to meet Carlyles size requirements. Not sure where Bozak fits in given he is a smurf, but very good. I think you can see the exodus of the Connellys/Lombardi/ Bozak/ or even Kadri type of player at centre and the bigger guys coming in. It may have to wait til 13/14 season when they can get out from underneath the bad contracts of the above (Connelly and Lombardi). We can afford to develop Colborne for another year and let him add weight, get faster and get more physical and hit some people at a more frequent pace
I wasn't high on him at all after watching him play last year, and I feel the same way after watching him play this year. I posted this in another thread, will re-post it here:
Most Leafs fans will disagree with me, but I don't think Colborne will ever amount to much in the NHL. He's big an decently talented offensively, but he's also soft and slow. I don't really think he has the skating, compete level or physicality to play NHL level defense, in his NHL games he was always a step behind the play in his own end to the point where he was a liability. Offensively he has NHL level talent, but I don't see him being much of an impact player because of his limitations defensively and off the puck in general. A lot of people rank him as our 2nd best prospect (after Kadri), but personally I rank him way lower, below guys like Frattin, Biggs, Percy, Blacker, Ross, Ashton and Holzer.
Basically, I just don't consider him much of a core piece at all, and while I think he has an OK shot to make the NHL full time at some point, I don't think he'll be much of an impact player. I could easily see him having a Luca Caputi type of career, where he's quite good in the AHL, but pretty "meh" in the NHL. Have never seen the #1 C upside that others seem to see, at all.
He seemed to peter out since his first call up and was injured for much of the year. I would say his skating has improved greatly but he needs to get his weight and strength up another 10-15 lbs or muscle from his 220 weight.
He is not a #1 centre and Kadri is much closer to that (if they let him play centre) as he has true elite skills whcih is often flashes. Colborne is much closer to a Jordan Staal 3rd line guy who will chip in 10-15 goals in that role. His size is dominant, he can check with his reach and I like him in that role with the leafs, much like a Steckel. He isnt great on face offs yet, an area he needs to focus. Dont be surprised if they go with Colborne/Steckel as the #3/4 or #4/3 next year to meet Carlyles size requirements. Not sure where Bozak fits in given he is a smurf, but very good. I think you can see the exodus of the Connellys/Lombardi/ Bozak/ or even Kadri type of player at centre and the bigger guys coming in. It may have to wait til 13/14 season when they can get out from underneath the bad contracts of the above (Connelly and Lombardi). We can afford to develop Colborne for another year and let him add weight, get faster and get more physical and hit some people at a more frequent pace
He's similar to Jordan Staal, except slower, softer, and nowhere close to as good defensively. If he had Jordan Staal's 2-way game I'd be EXTREMELY high on him, but Jordan Staal is elite defensively, while Colborne is somewhat of a liability.
I've posted this shift before, but I'll post it again:
Obviously the whole team is not playing well here, and everyone is tired, but it really highlights Colborne's weaknesses. Watch him through the shift, he is completely and utterly unable to puck any pressure on the puck, guys know they can skate around him with ease and do whatever they want because he has a very slow first few steps, he has a low compete level, and he's not physical. He's a total step behind the play, and a real pylon here. In Colborne's NHL games I saw this sort of thing fairly regularly, not to this extent, but these types of hustle/speed/physicality issues are common problems during his shifts. He's not going to be an offensive star, and role players simply cannot play like that. If he wants to be a contributor at the NHL level, he has to fix his motor, physicality and first few steps.
Is he the player he was at the top of his game? Or the player he is when he isn't producing? Someone said he's likely in between what he's shown so far, which could be the case. He does sort of remind me of Antropov, but to me, he moves quicker.
reminds me of antropov too, but not nearly as good. at the same age, antropov had a season in the nhl under his belt, and was a fairly dominant ahl player.
Quote:
Has 54 points in 83 career games with the Marlies. Not ideal numbers you expect from a future top line talent, but it's depends on how you value the development of players. If he comes out and scores 70 points in 80 AHL games next does that make him a top prospect again?
70 points in 80 games next season would probably make him a decent prospect again. his days of being a top prospect are very likely over. he'll be 23 at the end of next season. not too old, but time will very quickly be running out for him. others in the system will pass him in a hurry.
Staal was a terrible skater coming into the league and couldn't play strong defence. He is still a below average skater which is why Colborne is similar. I think Colborne can be a better skater over time than Staal because he has a better stride and gate. Having said that, he needs to learn to play defence better which is why Dallas has him on checking line. I project him as a 3rd line centre over time
I've posted this shift before, but I'll post it again:
Obviously the whole team is not playing well here, and everyone is tired, but it really highlights Colborne's weaknesses. Watch him through the shift, he is completely and utterly unable to puck any pressure on the puck, guys know they can skate around him with ease and do whatever they want because he has a very slow first few steps, he has a low compete level, and he's not physical. He's a total step behind the play, and a real pylon here. In Colborne's NHL games I saw this sort of thing fairly regularly, not to this extent, but these types of hustle/speed/physicality issues are common problems during his shifts. He's not going to be an offensive star, and role players simply cannot play like that. If he wants to be a contributor at the NHL level, he has to fix his motor, physicality and first few steps.
My god, I don't think I've seen him look so lazy and incompetent as shown in this video. Looks absolutely useless, so lifeless and no drive at all. Just floating around and watching everyone skate.
Staal was a terrible skater coming into the league and couldn't play strong defence. He is still a below average skater which is why Colborne is similar. I think Colborne can be a better skater over time than Staal because he has a better stride and gate. Having said that, he needs to learn to play defence better which is why Dallas has him on checking line. I project him as a 3rd line centre over time
Huh??? Even as an 18 year old rookie, Staal was one of the Pens top penalty killers and top defensive players in general, I have no idea where you got the idea that he was ever a bad defensive player.. He's also always had pretty solid speed for a big man, he lead the league in SHGs as a rookie largely based on breakaways.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schennanigans
My god, I don't think I've seen him look so lazy and incompetent as shown in this video. Looks absolutely useless, so lifeless and no drive at all. Just floating around and watching everyone skate.
I should point out that this was definitely his worst shift with the Leafs, and he was clearly tired. With that being said, the issues apparent on this shift (step behind the play on defense, no real pressure put on the puck, lack of physicality, slow first couple steps/acceleration) were things I noticed on many of his shifts, just to lesser extents.
I really like his hands and vision for his size, but I think he needs at least moderate improvements to his compete level, physicality and first couple steps to become an NHL player. With decent improvements in these areas, I can see him becoming a decent NHLer, but otherwise I don't see it. As I said before, I prefer many other Leafs prospects to Colborne, like Kadri (our best prospect by far IMO), Frattin, Biggs, Percy, Blacker, Ross, Ashton and Holzer.
I had bet my money on possible 3rd liners like Ross and Nicholls ending up with a better career than Colborne.
His problem isn't about skill or even skating for that matter but his lack of drive, intensity, horrible work ethic, and careless is keeping him down big time from being a good NHLer. He has such a low class character and no real interest whatsoever for the game.
I am a pateint kid and don't like saying this about any one of our young kids with solid potential but I had say, if Colborne's value ever becomes high, ship him out for a good return.
I had bet my money on possible 3rd liners like Ross and Nicholls ending up with a better career than Colborne.
His problem isn't about skill or even skating for that matter but his lack of drive, intensity, horrible work ethic, and careless is keeping him down big time from being a good NHLer. He has such a low class character and no real interest whatsoever for the game.
I am a pateint kid and don't like saying this about any one of our young kids with solid potential but I had say, if Colborne's value ever becomes high, ship him out for a good return.
Thats complete, unsubstantiated nonsense. Low class character? you are way off there...when was the last time you were at a game?
A cherry picked two minute long Youtube clip focusing on Colborne in one of the teams worst shifts of the season against the reigning Stanley cup champs who also skated circles around our NHL'ers on that same shift.
Thats complete, unsubstantiated nonsense. Low class character? you are way off there...when was the last time you were at a game?
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Originally Posted by Gatorade
It is a very accurate assessment. He is not a character player at all. When was the last game you were at?
No it really isn't. Unless he actually knows Colborne off the ice, it's an extremely bold statement to make about a person's character.
Is he a 'character player' in the hockey sense of the word. Probably not. Not in the 'hockey' sense of the word where your 'character players' are hard hitting, shot-blocking types.
A 'low class character with no real interest in the game whatsoever' is a bit defamatory IMO. These are some very bold statements for someone watching from a distance.
reminds me of antropov too, but not nearly as good. at the same age, antropov had a season in the nhl under his belt, and was a fairly dominant ahl player.
70 points in 80 games next season would probably make him a decent prospect again. his days of being a top prospect are very likely over. he'll be 23 at the end of next season. not too old, but time will very quickly be running out for him. others in the system will pass him in a hurry.
I agree with this. I just know some around here will start pegging him as a top line center for the future if he does put up those totals - which I was sort of getting at.
Windows of opportunity are short for players in most cases, especially if you stockpiled some range of talent. We've seen it here already with the likes of Aulie, and Caputi. With more and more players pushing for AHL spots it'll make it that much harder for Colborne (and all of the prospects really). Which is why I said next season will really be telling.
I think you'll see that with Edmonton soon enough. A ton of great, young forward talent, but only so many spots and some players being pushed down/out the depth charts. It's a good problem to have, if you can handle it correctly.
