Brian Huddle: With the Thirteenth Pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Dallas Selects... Brendan Gaunce

he also sounds a bit like sean couturier. only a little shorter and a lot more stout

he also sounds a bit like sean couturier. only a little shorter and a lot more stout
- flyerscup2011

Yea. I really like the Ryan O'Reilly comparison, personally.

Brian, in your opinion will Gaunce be ready in a couple of years? The Stars are lacking top 6 center prospects which was a huge problem last year when some injuries hit top six players. Also, what makes you think Gaunce is a better prospect for the Stars over Girgensons - is it his NHL readiness?

Brian, in your opinion will Gaunce be ready in a couple of years? The Stars are lacking top 6 center prospects which was a huge problem last year when some injuries hit top six players. Also, what makes you think Gaunce is a better prospect for the Stars over Girgensons - is it his NHL readiness?
- jerryb

I think Gaunce is a year away from stepping into the NHL --- whatever role that may be. Just a personal opinion. A really weak team could see him step in right away out of pure necessity or desire.

As for him over Girgensons--- Z is harder to project because he played in the USHL vs. the CHL or even the NTDP. I think they're on par, but I gave Gaunce the slight advantage for being an OHL player.

Hey Brian, just wondering what you think the leafs will do with cody franson? do you think he could b had if a team like carolina or of that short would trade there mid frist round for? Thats if a faksa gaunce or wilson is on the board

Hey Brian, just wondering what you think the leafs will do with cody franson? do you think he could b had if a team like carolina or of that short would trade there mid frist round for? Thats if a faksa gaunce or wilson is on the board
- orrshammerfist

Could be-- I don't think he's in the plans, but I think more or less he's someone that could be moved out to upgrade up front right away or for a goalie.

I like Gaunce, met him in Belleville the other day when I was at the rink for pickup. He's a good guy and down to earth big big bonus.

Sebastian Collberg should be higher than Filip Forsberg. Just because scouts you talk to have him lower than Forsberg, doesn't mean his lower. FRK should be higher than seconde round too.

Sebastian Collberg should be higher than Filip Forsberg. Just because scouts you talk to have him lower than Forsberg, doesn't mean his lower. FRK should be higher than seconde round too.
- -xXx-

This is a mock-- I guarantee that Forsberg will go before Collberg. Heck, Forsberg will likely go Top 5-6, and Collberg will go in the 10-20 range.

This is a mock-- I guarantee that Forsberg will go before Collberg. Heck, Forsberg will likely go Top 5-6, and Collberg will go in the 10-20 range.
- Brian Huddle

Collberg show up when the game matters the most, kind of like Eberle, I can't say the same for Forsberg. It shows in U20 WJC. FRK was really good too for CR when he was 16 years old, he was injured this year.

Collberg show up when the game matters the most, kind of like Eberle, I can't say the same for Forsberg. It shows in U20 WJC. FRK was really good too for CR when he was 16 years old, he was injured this year.
- -xXx-

I agree on Frk being a really good talent, and I'd love him anywhere from 20-40. Problem is that his size and the injury history will bug teams, especially since he still has heavy boots.

As for Forsberg-- I think his game translates better to the NHL than Collberg, though Collberg is a more talented player. I'm also not a huge Forsberg fan, as I have him around 10 on my personal list.

I am intrigued by Gaunce. If we cant get a potential #1 center at 5, I would be happy trading down to pick up either Faksa or Gaunce.

Sign me up, seems like a good pick for our spot and need.

I agree on Frk being a really good talent, and I'd love him anywhere from 20-40. Problem is that his size and the injury history will bug teams, especially since he still has heavy boots.

As for Forsberg-- I think his game translates better to the NHL than Collberg, though Collberg is a more talented player. I'm also not a huge Forsberg fan, as I have him around 10 on my personal list.
- Brian Huddle

I would've draft Richard Panik, Thomas Tatar, Thomas Jurco in the First Round too. So Far they haven't made the NHL but i still think they will be better than the players who were pick before them... Culek, Straka, Kabanov, Galiev could be included the players i wouldve pick in 1st round.

I would've draft Richard Panik, Thomas Tatar, Thomas Jurco in the First Round too. So Far they haven't made the NHL but i still think they will be better than the players who were pick before them... Culek, Straka, Kabanov, Galiev could be included the players i wouldve pick in 1st round.
- -xXx-

That's a certain way of drafting-- drafting for high offense and hoping for the best. It presents a lot of boom/bust.

Some teams see a draft pick as an asset and want to keep it an asset by turning it into a serviceable NHL'er. Both ways have their merit.

I personally fall closer to the "give me a serviceable NHL'er" category.

That's a certain way of drafting-- drafting for high offense and hoping for the best. It presents a lot of boom/bust.

Some teams see a draft pick as an asset and want to keep it an asset by turning it into a serviceable NHL'er. Both ways have their merit.

I personally fall closer to the "give me a serviceable NHL'er" category.
- Brian Huddle

I like this system better too... For about a decade there, the Flames did a terrible job of picking players that could actually play in the big show.

In the last year or 2, they've done a much better job, and we're starting to see some pleasant surprises show up out of even our later round picks.

That's a certain way of drafting-- drafting for high offense and hoping for the best. It presents a lot of boom/bust.

Some teams see a draft pick as an asset and want to keep it an asset by turning it into a serviceable NHL'er. Both ways have their merit.

I personally fall closer to the "give me a serviceable NHL'er" category.
- Brian Huddle

You need 4 Lines that can play hockey, 6 defense that can play defence and 2 Goalie to Win the Cup. You don't have to rely on 1 scorer or 1 line.

Brian Huddle: With the Thirteenth Pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Dallas Selects...
Brendan Gaunce
- Brian Huddle

dammit.

You need 4 Lines that can play hockey, 6 defense that can play defence and 2 Goalie to Win the Cup. You don't have to rely on 1 scorer or 1 line.
- -xXx-

That's not what I'm saying.

I believe in roles-- putting players in positions to succeed. A guy like Jurco isn't going to succeed in a 3rd or 4th line role. So if I can get a guy who can play a 3rd line banging role and behind him is a "potential top 6 player" who busts? I'm not gonna cry.

That's not what I'm saying.

I believe in roles-- putting players in positions to succeed. A guy like Jurco isn't going to succeed in a 3rd or 4th line role. So if I can get a guy who can play a 3rd line banging role and behind him is a "potential top 6 player" who busts? I'm not gonna cry.
- Brian Huddle

So if you had the chance to Draft players like Elias, Hejduk, you would draft players like Anthony Steward, Kyle Chipchura and give them "roles" to succed? I would rather take best player available.

So if you had the chance to Draft players like Elias, Hejduk, you would draft players like Anthony Steward, Kyle Chipchura and give them "roles" to succed? I would rather take best player available.
- -xXx-

trolololololol

trolololololol
- Jaciems

I mention your Kyle Chipchura?