2015 Season In Review: Colby Robak

Colby Robak was originally the property of the Florida Panthers, who drafted him in the 2nd round (46th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft. He was traded to the Ducks by the Panthers on December 4, 2014 in exchange for Jesse Blacker and a conditional draft pick (which could turn into a fourth round pick for Florida in 2016, or a sixth round pick in 2017).

Robak made his NHL debut with the Panthers on February 12, 2012 at the New York Islanders, and appeared in seven games with the Panthers before being traded this season, going scoreless with two PIM. However, Robak's most significant impact with the Panthers really occurred in the minors, where he tallied 107 points and 126 PIM with Florida's various AHL affiliates.

Season Impact

He only appeared in five games with the Ducks this season, tallying a single assist. Robak's Ducks debut occurred on December 4, 2014 at Minnesota, where he became the 13th defenseman to suit up for the Ducks last season. Robak was on the ice for some good Wild chances (notably from former Duck Mathieu Perreault), but SuperGoalie Frederik Andersen was able to stop each of them. Robak would also appear in the next two games during the Ducks' road trip, playing about 17 minutes of ice time against the Winnipeg Jets. Unfortunately, Robak also played a role in the Ducks' 6-2 loss at Ottawa on December 19, 2014, failing to clear a puck in the Anaheim zone that would become the Senators' fourth goal of the game.

Robak also appeared in 29 games with the Norfolk Admirals, tallying one goal and five assists for a total of six points. He first got on the score sheet during a February 17th game against the Charlotte Checkers. At this point in the season, Robak had appeared in eight games with the Admirals after being sent down from the Ducks. In addition to the assist, Robak had six penalty minutes and 16 shots on goal. He would score his first goal as an Admiral on a March 4th game against the Binghamton Senators, the only goal in a 4-1 Admirals loss (and bringing his point total to three points in 14 games - one goal and two assists). He would also tally two assists in the Admirals' 4-2 loss to Charlotte on March 8.

2014-2015 Stats

Ducks Impact

Umm...the tendency for broadcasters to refer to him as "Casey"?

Robak received some good looks during the fall of 2014, and Bruce Boudreau remarked that the moved the puck well. However, he only tallied one assist on the score sheet in NHL action, so it is unlikely that Robak will join the Ducks' cadre of high-scoring young defensemen anytime soon. I could see him being recalled from the AHL if there is another defenseman injury plague in 2015-16 (*throws salt over shoulder*), but he seems to be a career AHL-er.