Don't get me wrong I think Cola is the more polished offensive player and plays every bit as physical as coburn at the moment. I think Cola could be a top 4, but has never shown consistency and production, due to injuries. He looks to be an okay puck mover, but he hasn't provided pts (and in TOR's system, defensemen score/join the rush alot).
I think Coburn will be the better player because:
Injuries/various chances over the span of 4-5 pro yrs whereas Coburn has been in the pros 2 yrs?
Saying Cola is more defensively responsible than McCabe isn't saying much.
Cola has had much more experience in the pros and should at this pt be better than Coburn, but from what I saw this season when both were playing (Coburn in PHI) they were incredibly even.
Cola was seen as an offensive dman, and while he has an all-around game, the offense isn't coming.
PHI's defense can't be much worst than last yr and the injuries/retirements left a pretty bad defense. Also when you hit rock bottom, nobody is untouchable. Coburn will get good minutes.
TOR's defense gave up less shots, but most of them were shockers and resulted in goals. We spent 17 million on our defense last yr and gave up the same amount of goals. What this says to me is that our defense (and our team defense) isn't very good defensively.
Mccabe, kaberle, kubina are all in the top 4 for at least 3 more yrs and will, as usual, get overplayed minute-wise, whereas cola won't get as many good minutes. (White got more last yr, at 18 mins a game last yr). White just got a cheap 3 yr deal, whereas Cola has been unable to establish himself, thats why I think next season makes or breaks him.
I think Cola is good and COULD BE a good 2nd pairing guy, if he can actually not get injured. Coburn seems to have a higher ceiling and the better opportunity.
