It is perhaps a testament to the job the Leafs front office has done in assembling young talent that even in the last game of the season, they can produce more reasons for hope.

Joe Colborne — the 21-year-old prospect the Leafs got from Boston in the Tomas Kaberle trade — will make his NHL debut on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens.

So will Matt Frattin, the 23-year-old NCAA forward who signed a two-year entry level contract Friday night. Frattin, a finalist for U.S. college player of the year — losing to Miami (Ohio) forward Andy Miele, despite leading NCAA scorers with 36 goals — was picked 99th overall by the Leafs in 2007.

“I’ve been working my whole life for this,” said Colborne. “It doesn’t get much better than that, Hockey Night in Canada. I can’t wait.”

And he’ll do it, no less, centring Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul, instantly adding size to a speedy, skilled line with Toronto’s marquee scorer.

“It’s a great opportunity. It’s not lost on me,” said Colborne. “I was a little nervous out there (at practice).

“They’re pretty high-profile guys, but by the mid-part of practice, they had made it easy for me.”

The 6-foot-5 centre, who has overcome a concussion, had eight goals and seven assists in 19 games with the Marlies.

“His talent level is amazing. He’s a big strong kid who can protect the puck really well from what I saw,” said Leaf defenceman Matt Lashoff, who played for a few weeks with Colborne with the Marlies. “He thinks the game really well, too. He’s not a guy who’s going to make ill-advised plays at wrong times.

“He’s sound defensively and he can definitely wow you with his skill. He’s got the strength and the foot speed, and if he’s got a step on the defenceman, its’ going to be hard for them to get him under control.”

Colborne could well be — in a year or two — the big No. 1 centre the team has been lacking since the departure of Mats Sundin.

“I want to put him in a position where he can succeed,” said Leafs coach Ron Wilson. “Potentially he could be a No. 1 centre some day. He still has lots to work on, get bigger and stronger.

“We’re just trying to get him some experience. Since we’ve picked him up, he’s played pretty well and he gets a chance to play a game . . . and give us a way to evaluate him.”

If anyone knows what’s going through Colborne’s mind, it’s Tim Brent.

Brent was called up in Game 82 last year, and parlayed that into a full-time gig.

“It’ll be a great experience for him. I’ll be cheering for him,” said Brent, the Leafs’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy. “I got to play the last game last season and that taste gets left in your mouth the entire summer. It’s something you strive for all summer long. You don’t forget.

“If there’s a day you don’t feel like working out, you say it will be worth it.”

The Masterton is for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Brent made the most of this chance with the team he grew up watching in nearby Cambridge. He became the team’s best shot-blocking forward, sacrificing body and even having his shin pads explode after blocking an Alex Ovechkin blast.

“I should have got him to sign it,” said Brent. “But I’ve been lucky enough not to have too many bad injuries.

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“It’s been a fantastic year as far as, not only as me, but the steps that the team has taken. We’ve been one of the best teams in the league the last little while since the all-star break. It’s a fun place to be.”

The jobs at centre ice could be the most interesting to follow over the summer with Nazem Kadri sure to get another look on the top line and Tyler Bozak fighting to retain the job.

“I’m looking forward to showing what I can do,” said Colborne. “But it’s one game and it’s not going to make or break a career.”

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