What are your thoughts on Joe Colborne so far?

[Flames_F.T.W]

I didn't have a chance to watch the 3rd but Colborne was very noticeable throughout the game. Hopefully he keeps improving!

[rotten42]

who?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

By far his best game last night against the Ducks. While I agree with many posters that it is frustrating to see a guy of that size not use his body to his advantage, I doubt he'll ever be a banger. But what we did see, was a guy with deceptive speed and a tremendous reach advantage dance around the D for a good set up play. If he can figure out face-offs (along with every other Flames centre), I think we might have a good NHLer.

[H2SO4(aq)]

At this point Id rather give Knight or Horak a couple games and see what we have. I don't think Colborne is a very good player. I think there are better player in our prospect pool that can get the job done better than Colborne.

[Ark2]

Plays for the Calgary Flames? Check!
Has at least 1 point? Check!

I would say that Colborne is just a shot block or two away from having his very own "FRICKEN" thread!

[Erick Estrada]

It's amazing how much better a player looks when he's not playing on a line with Jackman and McGrattan. I don't think playing with those two is ever going to make him stand out but he sure looked better when he was allowed to play with some talent on the wings. He needs to carry this play into the next game and hopefully get rewarded with more ice time.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's amazing how much better a player looks when he's not playing on a line with Jackman and McGrattan. I don't think playing with those two is ever going to make him stand out but he sure looked better when he was allowed to play with some talent on the wings. He needs to carry this play into the next game and hopefully get rewarded with more ice time.

100% agreed. Colborne doesn't need to get forced into a top 6 role just yet but giving him some time outside of the 4th line is the only way we will really get to see what he can do on the offensive side of the puck.

I know I got blasted for suggesting that Colborne takes some ice time away from Street but I would still rather see Colborne steal minutes from Street than from Backlund or Monahan.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Wolven

100% agreed. Colborne doesn't need to get forced into a top 6 role just yet but giving him some time outside of the 4th line is the only way we will really get to see what he can do on the offensive side of the puck.

I know I got blasted for suggesting that Colborne takes some ice time away from Street but I would still rather see Colborne steal minutes from Street than from Backlund or Monahan.

I agree with this. From what I've seen they picked Colborne up as somewhat of a reclamation project and want to work him into the player he has the potential to become. The unique issue is not being able to send him to the AHL to do that. This may not be a terrible problem however.

Coaching has been working with him 1 on 1 to hone his offensive game and perhaps do the same thing Ward did with Street. Tell him what he needs to do in order to be successful at the NHL level and let him run with it. I do see glimpses of a power forward Thornton type player (obviously not the same caliber, but as his offensive instincts and physical traits are concerned). He seems to be so close to putting his game together and some earned extra ice time may display the offensive player he's been in the past.

[Phanuthier]

For a (4th?) .... he looked great last night... great trade.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Wolven

100% agreed. Colborne doesn't need to get forced into a top 6 role just yet but giving him some time outside of the 4th line is the only way we will really get to see what he can do on the offensive side of the puck.

I know I got blasted for suggesting that Colborne takes some ice time away from Street but I would still rather see Colborne steal minutes from Street than from Backlund or Monahan.

Yeah I think Street is what he is and this is as good as he's going to get but the team gave up a 4th round pick and owes it to themselves to give Colborne a chance with better linemates as Street hasn't been getting things done offensively and IMO should be playing bottom six not top 6.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

At this point Id rather give Knight or Horak a couple games and see what we have. I don't think Colborne is a very good player. I think there are better player in our prospect pool that can get the job done better than Colborne.

We know what we have in Horak, and Knight did not look better than Colborne has in his time with the club before the season began.

At best, we have players who play as well as Colborne did last night. I'd rather keep Colborne thanks, much higher upside than either of those two.

[edn88]

From what I saw in last nights game (which was only parts of 1st and 2nd period) Colborne seemed to be very noticable (loved his break away - wish he could have finished) and the fourth line in general was quite energetic (would hate to be a d-man with Jack and Grats on an agressive forecheck).

[Itse]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

At this point Id rather give Knight or Horak a couple games and see what we have. I don't think Colborne is a very good player. I think there are better player in our prospect pool that can get the job done better than Colborne.

The team has been playing well, so I think it's natural that changes haven't been made yet. I'm sure Knight and Horak will get games eventually. Well Knight at least.

I have a feeling Horak is starting to be an odd man out in the organization.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah I think Street is what he is and this is as good as he's going to get but the team gave up a 4th round pick and owes it to themselves to give Colborne a chance with better linemates as Street hasn't been getting things done offensively and IMO should be playing bottom six not top 6.

Yeah Street has been good defensively but I agree that if you are going to play with Glencross/Stempniak/Jones etc. you need to be able to provide something offensively, and he just hasn't shown that yet.

Think they should give Colborne more offensive minutes on that line. If he struggles then you move Street back up to that top line.

Glencross-Colborne-Stempniak
Galiardi-Backlund-Hudler
Baertschi- Monahan- Bouma
B.Jones- Street- McGrattan

[macrov]

so a fourth round pick has a 10% chance of becoming an NHLer... and it takes 6 years to find out if that pick will pan out.

Joe Colborne is currently on our team playing around 10 minutes a game. Further, we will either know if Joe Colborne will become or fail to become an NHLer within 1-2 years and we're talking about whether trading that pick for a guy who probably has a 30-50% of making that jump, since he's obviously on the cusp, as over 5 games he has an even +/- rating, and while he hasn't looked great, doesn't look out of place either.

How is this even a conversation. It was obviously a good trade.

I'll also point out that with Backlund and Monahan projected as our #1 and #2 centres, Colborne is probably being slotted as a number 3, checking line centre. And since he's never played that position in his life, the adjustment period is going to take a while.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

However, getting ice time with top-six forward is never a bad thing either. Lets him explore his offensive side somewhat.

First he'll have to earn it and show some finish.

He had a couple glorious opportunities last night that he squandered. Would've liked to see some finish there from a supposed skill guy.

But yeah as said, if the coaching staff can turn him into a Steckel like player he'll be a good fit. Be interesting to see if he can step up or if he's just an NHLer tweener.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

First he'll have to earn it and show some finish.

He had a couple glorious opportunities last night that he squandered. Would've liked to see some finish there from a supposed skill guy.

But yeah as said, if the coaching staff can turn him into a Steckel like player he'll be a good fit. Be interesting to see if he can step up or if he's just an NHLer tweener.

How has Street earned it? (1 assist -3 in 6 games playing on the "top line")

The fact that Colborne has that wing spand and went in on the breakaway (that he created for himself) you have to give him credit for, no one else on the Flames could have made that play. On top of that he was all over the Ducks in the third, the disallowed goal, assist on the Hudler goal, and honestly that line looked about 10x better with Colborne on it than it did with Monahan. (Small sample size)

Colborne has now played in this system for 5 games, I think you will continue to see his ice time, and quality of ice time increase. Last game I think he earned a lot more then 8:44 in ice time, and wasn't given it.

IMO Colborne is going to be an asset going forward playing against big centers in the west, specifically (Thornton/Getz/Kopitar) going forward, as they just manhandle Stajan/Backlund.

[codynw]

I've gotta say, I was unimpressed with him in the first handful of games, but he played great last night. He needs to learn to use his size to his advantage a little more though.

I also have to say, that stick above the crossbar rule is stupid.

[Goodlad]

Looks like he put the long break between games to good use. He looked a lot more comfortable out there last night. He could use his size to better advantage, and he still looks a bit tentative when making plays, but overall I'd say it's a 4th well spent. He's definitely going to need to work on his faceoffs though.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

How has Street earned it? (1 assist -3 in 6 games playing on the "top line")

Street should be on the 4th line or even sent back to AHL. I know he works hard, but you need to do more than that to be a NHLer. I would rather see someone with more upside take his spot (Knight or Horak).