What will Colborne's new contract be?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

I'm in the boat of moving him. He does have some upside but just given his play, I don't see him amounting to more than a 40 point getter, maybe 50 at best.

I'd say a 1.8m x 2 year or move him.

and that's a bad thing?

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

and that's a bad thing?

oh not at all. Should have expanded, I can see him hitting that number at his best but not maintaining that. Hate to be bound to a long term 3mil/yr contract if it isn't sustainable to hit those numbers. While not the same situation, Stajan and Raymond both hit that 50 point mark.

[Vinny01]

3 year $7.5M deal

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

3 year $7.5M deal

...no.

Too much.

[polak]

Hope it's 1 year. Anything else will be a mistake. Book it.

[Poe969]

I think Colborne will be a big part of this team's future, either as a player or part of a deal for an important player.

He isn't great but he isn't as bad as people make him out to be. He's a good secondary guy to have on any team.

[Stay Golden]

Not a big fan of Colborne he is often too frustrating to watch how he doesn't play to his 6'5 220lb size.
Joe gets pushed around to easy he needs to figure out what kind of Center he is. When he stands in front gets position he is effective. When he floats he isn't effective at all.
Outstanding in a shoot out but easily gets pushed off the puck at times inside the offensive zone.
Due to points this year I think it goes to arbitration. I think he is looking for Backlund type contract.
He shouldn't get it. 2.5-2.7 per tops.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by polak

Hope it's 1 year. Anything else will be a mistake. Book it.

I agree with the 1 year thing. You've still got him under team control for the year. Let him prove it again. Learn from the Bouma contract. He's a hometown guy, I'm sure if he puts up another good year and the Flames give a reasonable offer when he'll be willing to to accept without going to free agency.

[Red Menace]

Seems inevitable that he will, get a multi year deal at or north of 2.5 mill per.
The org loves his size and he has had a good year.
I am not his biggest fan...but anyone thinking other wise is kidding themselves.

[bubbsy]

how does his FA status differ from Bouma's last season?

Bouma got $6.6 million over 3 years.

Points are a higher value currency than blocking shots, hence, i assume Colborne should be getting more.

I'd be ok to give him a 2-3 year deal for 2-2.5 million, except that with contracts like Wideman, Raymond, Stajan, Engelland, Bouma, not sure if we can afford it.

Unloading some of the above will be critical in trying to improve the roster, otherwise, adding a goaltender and organic progress/growth of the individuals on this team may be the only arguments for why this team could be a playoff team next year.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

how does his FA status differ from Bouma's last season?

Bouma got $6.6 million over 3 years.

Points are a higher value currency than blocking shots, hence, i assume Colborne should be getting more.

I'd be ok to give him a 2-3 year deal for 2-2.5 million, except that with contracts like Wideman, Raymond, Stajan, Engelland, Bouma, not sure if we can afford it.

Unloading some of the above will be critical in trying to improve the roster, otherwise, adding a goaltender and organic progress/growth of the individuals on this team may be the only arguments for why this team could be a playoff team next year.

I've said the same thing: the Bouma contract might skew things to $2.2mm/year. Perhaps a bit more. Too bad, as I think Bouma is overpaid and Colborne should be around 2.0 average.

Either way, they will sign him. He has value.

[polak]

Cause the team probably realizes that Bouma contract is a huge mistake and has learned the importance of "show me" contracts.

[IgiTang]

What is the average salary for a 40pt 3rd line winger no longer on an ELC? Is it higher than 2m? Idk but I'm guessing it is.

I see a show me contract in his future.

1 yr 2m.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by polak

Cause the team probably realizes that Bouma contract is a huge mistake and has learned the importance of "show me" contracts.

Colborne was on a show me contract this year. Bouma was on a show me contract before the current one. I'm OK with 2 years for Colborne, provided it's an OK price. At worst it makes him easy to deal.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

I'm in the boat of moving him. He does have some upside but just given his play, I don't see him amounting to more than a 40 point getter, maybe 50 at best.

I'd say a 1.8m x 2 year or move him.

Thats pretty damn good these days

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Thats pretty damn good these days

20 goals, 20-40 assists, we do not want? Agreed Dino, that's pretty damn good in today's NHL and these are essential players to round out your bottom 6.

Ugh, damnit Colborne, 2 months ago I would have flown to YYC to drive you to the airport myself.. Now I'm defending you... Wtf...

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I think Colborne will be a big part of this team's future, either as a player or part of a deal for an important player.

He isn't great but he isn't as bad as people make him out to be. He's a good secondary guy to have on any team.

Sure if you want a mediocre team.

[Calgary4LIfe]

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.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Thats pretty damn good these days

Haha yeah, I have to edit my post. Poor execution of what I meant to say. I mean, he will top out and have maybe one season at 40 to 50 points. Similar to what happened with Stajan and Raymond. That's my guess right now. A bit too soft of a player.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

20 goals, 20-40 assists, we do not want? Agreed Dino, that's pretty damn good in today's NHL and these are essential players to round out your bottom 6.



Ugh, damnit Colborne, 2 months ago I would have flown to YYC to drive you to the airport myself.. Now I'm defending you... Wtf...

I just don't see it being sustainable. My initial comment was poorly worded but I can see him having a season or two at best. I just feel he will be another Stajan or Raymond