[TheDebaser]

Early in the year, Colborne wasn't a good hockey player, but we kept him up because otherwise the flames would have lost him to waivers. Think about it for a second, when the trade first came through, the thought process must have been that Colborne would get NHL icetime until he either proved he was an asset or a liability. Colborne, in no uncertain terms, was guaranteed some NHL icetime. It would be stupid to trade for a player and then send him through waivers because he didn't perform well immediately.

Credit to Colborne though, he really improved throughout the season to the point where I don't think there's anyone on this board who would argue that Colborne isn't an NHL player. (It helps that moon isn't around.)

The only difference in this situation is that, assuming Hayes needs NHL time for him to sign, the Flames could lie to him and then send him down in the middle of the year if the AHL would truly be better for him. Where Colborne would be subject to waivers Hayes wouldn't have a say in the matter. That said, I think that everyone would agree that that would be an Oiler-tier thing to do to the guy and that if that's the plan we shouldn't sign the guy in the first place.