Way too early yet to give up on Colborne. I wasn't a fan initially of acquiring him (even with the cheap price), but he has grown. I think he has loads of potential still.
I think it was Hartley that said he expects Colborne to train hard in the off-season and put a lot more muscle onto his frame. His board-battles are getting better, as his puck protection (as others have mentioned already).
It is great when you get a big skilled guy that is fearless at crashing the net and knocking guys down on their butts, but it is also very tiring during a game to have guys competing with a much larger and stronger player along the boards. Colborne will wear guys out once he packs on a bit more size, and I think he still has some pretty good upside in offence.
No way Glencross gets dealt until sometime during next season at least. You have to figure his trade-value is at an all-time low at the moment. He needs to go out there, stay healthy and produce. His salary is great value for his production and his versatility. There will be 29 teams that could fit him under their cap next year (especially with the Flames retaining 50%, and even taking back a cap dump that ends up upgrading their trade partner, and lowering their over-all cap). Will be interesting as to how it unfolds. I don't think he will finish his contract here, even with him NMC.
You really do have to tip your hat off to Hartley. There are people who still don't like him, and that is fair. I really didn't want to see him hired to begin with, but he has completely changed my opinion of him. He has this team working hard, and he made the 'tough' decisions on the roster. Sending back Baertschi, benching Backlund and Colborne at times and forcing them to compete against one another. Forcing every rookie to earn every minute of time, and rewarding them with some PP time at that (seriously, he rewarded Blair Jones with PP time on his call-up - someone we all thought he 'hated').
Ward has been phenomenal on the Heat. He is getting these kids ready for the NHL.
Flames are finally reaping what has been a very painfully-slow over-haul of their drafting and development programs. It is nice to go back and compare the state of the program when Button was let-go and Sutter entered, when Sutter was let-go and Feaster started, and the same now with Burke. Sutter kickstarted this (imo), Feaster accelerated it a bit, and hopefully Burke sees that it is becoming (or has already arrived at) a very good program.
Flames are finding guys deep in the draft that look to be NHL'ers (which is a win in itself), but also finding potential impact players and leaders there. The Oilers have not been able to find depth (or if they have, haven't been able to properly develop it with an regularity).
As one of the articles in the OP stated - the Flames had a load of rookies not only playing last night, but contributing positively and arguably pushing the team last night. You have Backlund and Brodie who are 'graduated' and looking more and more impressive (and at worst, good support players). They still have good NCAA prospects with different levels of potential - much of it decent NHL potential (for instance, I would bet my last dollar Arnold eventually becomes an NHL'er - good size, good hands, GREAT IQ, willingness to battle, great defensive acumen). On top of this, they still have what appears to be some pretty good players not yet turned pro.
All of this, and year one of the rebuild is only starting to wind down.
Will all of those players make it? Of course not. However, it really looks more and more like the drafting and development program is leagues ahead of Edmonton's. Maybe it is merely just 'competent' now, perhaps it is way above average. Time will tell on how many players eventually become NHL'ers. It is undeniable what you are starting to see with your own eyes, however - Flames prospects are starting to enter the NHL and are looking like they are making a case for themselves.
Nice to have a coach who is willing to reward youth for earning their minutes, but who will never give them minutes without first earning them, regardless of their draft position or history. Finally the Flames seem to have a working program that starts at scouting and continues right through to the Flames teams itself.
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