With team rosters now allowed to expand beyond the 23-man limit after the trade deadline, the Leafs have recalled big center Joe Colborne from the Toronto Marlies. After starting his AHL campaign with just six points in the first 22 games, and at one point being a healthy scratch, Colborne has posted 36 points in 43 games since picking it up in mid December.
As far as Leafs forward prospects go, Colborne is the next young talent the Leafs hope to see crack their roster as a full time NHLer as early as next training camp. If and when he does, his size down the middle would be a welcomed addition to a team lacking in it.
In the interim, this likely has to do with Frazer McLaren being out sick and MacArthur and Komarov not being ready to return just yet. Dave Nonis mentioned interest in adding another depth center to the team that can “move up and down the lineup” at the deadline, but that obviously did not materialize. Tough to say whether or not Colborne is going to stick around for a while or if this is just a quick reward for his good play lately, but the 23-year-old should get his first game with the big club in 2012-13.
In Colborne’s first call-up stint with the team last November, he made an instant impact with a goal and four points in his first five games as the team won four of five after he came up, two by a score of 7-1. With no points in the next five, he was sent down five games later.
The Leafs roster sits at 24 (or 23 if Komarov is still on IR) with the addition of Ryan O’Byrne to the backend and Joe Colborne recalled. Clarke MacArthur, contrary to earlier reports, will not play tonight. Ryan Hamilton was sent down to the Marlies yesterday and recalled right away in order to allow him to play in the playoffs for the Marlies if he’s back with them for the post-season. He remains with the Leafs for now.