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Calgary4LIfe · 04-05-2016, 11:35 AM

Colborne is one of those interesting cases.

He is 26 and is finishing up his 4th season in the NHL. He has taken a fairly long road to get here - 2 years of College and 3 years in the AHL. Most guys at this point are as good as they get so to speak (more or less - I think players continue making improvements in their games yearly, but more 'tweaks' than big jumps like rookies/young players do).

Colborne I think is an exception to the rule. I think with him 'bouncing around' a bit through all those teams (Denver, Providence, Marlies, Leafs, Flames) and his recurring wrist issues has probably even slowed his development a little.

I think having stability with the Flames has really helped him improve. I think they really helped to alter his game from a 'finesse' type into a sort of 'power-forward' type - at least someone who goes to the net and is good along the boards. They have helped him (or, are helping him) to become a much tougher-to-play-against player.

With everything noted above, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a bit more development out of Colborne in the next couple of seasons. I don't think this has been an aberration of what Colborne is. I don't think it is merely a lucky streak. I think Colborne will continue adding a bit more size and making some further refinements to his game as he matures - I think he is the prototypical 'late bloomer'.

I don't expect he will suddenly turn into a 1st line power-forward winger who pots 30-40 goals a season. Just a really solid support guy who will pot in 20 goals and make it difficult for other teams to line-match, and help wear out opposing players in a playoff series. Simply playing against big players requires more effort, even if they are not throwing their weight around.

I would like to see Colborne get a bit more aggressive, but I really am enjoying this transition into the player he should have been from the start coming out of College.

I don't think the Flames have any interest in not signing him, and I can't see Colborne pricing himself out of the Flames at this stage. Perhaps his next contract might price himself out if he continues to improve, but not this time I am betting.

04-05-2016, 11:35 AM	#158
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	Colborne is one of those interesting cases. He is 26 and is finishing up his 4th season in the NHL. He has taken a fairly long road to get here - 2 years of College and 3 years in the AHL. Most guys at this point are as good as they get so to speak (more or less - I think players continue making improvements in their games yearly, but more 'tweaks' than big jumps like rookies/young players do). Colborne I think is an exception to the rule. I think with him 'bouncing around' a bit through all those teams (Denver, Providence, Marlies, Leafs, Flames) and his recurring wrist issues has probably even slowed his development a little. I think having stability with the Flames has really helped him improve. I think they really helped to alter his game from a 'finesse' type into a sort of 'power-forward' type - at least someone who goes to the net and is good along the boards. They have helped him (or, are helping him) to become a much tougher-to-play-against player. With everything noted above, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a bit more development out of Colborne in the next couple of seasons. I don't think this has been an aberration of what Colborne is. I don't think it is merely a lucky streak. I think Colborne will continue adding a bit more size and making some further refinements to his game as he matures - I think he is the prototypical 'late bloomer'. I don't expect he will suddenly turn into a 1st line power-forward winger who pots 30-40 goals a season. Just a really solid support guy who will pot in 20 goals and make it difficult for other teams to line-match, and help wear out opposing players in a playoff series. Simply playing against big players requires more effort, even if they are not throwing their weight around. I would like to see Colborne get a bit more aggressive, but I really am enjoying this transition into the player he should have been from the start coming out of College. I don't think the Flames have any interest in not signing him, and I can't see Colborne pricing himself out of the Flames at this stage. Perhaps his next contract might price himself out if he continues to improve, but not this time I am betting.