Unsigned 2012 draft picks

[Caged Great]

Daniel Gunnarsson would be interesting to look at. 6-5 D-man that's decent offensively.

[Alberta_Beef]

What about Travis Brown? He was a 5th round pick in 2012 by the Hawks. Brown is 6'2, 180lbs and had 53 points in 71 games as a RH defenseman with the Warriors & Royals.

Hockeys Future has this to say:

Talent Analysis

A balanced defenseman, Travis Brown combines puck-moving ability with a 6'2 frame and commitment to the physical game. He skates very well and has good mobility in all directions. When the puck is on his stick, he can make safe plays on the breakout as well as get his shot through at the offensive end.

Future

Brown has been a key defender for Moose Jaw in each of the past two seasons, ranking behind only Morgan Rielly in points over that span. Brown will be counted on heavily again in 2013-14 and should have the chance to skate in all situations for the Warriors. He needs to continue filling out his 6'2 frame, but another productive WHL season could force the Blackhawks hand when Brown's signing deadline comes around in the summer of 2014.

[sureLoss]

Updated list. One week left or these guys go back to the draft.

[devo22]

Thrower and Pokka still unsigned? Wow. Might be time for a sneaky offer

[evman150]

Disappointed to see Steven Hodges not signed. I really like him as a player. Likely too small for the next level, but he's a guy who always seems to do something positive when the puck is on his stick. Also I'm surprised Logan Nelson hasn't signed with Buffalo yet. For some reason I thought they were pretty high on him.

[AC]

2 centres in Gemel Smith (37 goals + 38 assists while -1) and Brady Vail )32 goals and 51 assists while +29) stand out from their stats.

2 defencemen in Dalton Thrower (12 goals and 27 assists) and Ville Pokka are also intriguing as mentioned by devo22.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by devo22

Thrower and Pokka still unsigned? Wow. Might be time for a sneaky offer

Hfboards seems to think that Pokka is on a team finland reserve list and won't be signed until after the games are over. Or something. I don't see why he wouldn't sign.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by AC

2 centres in Gemel Smith (37 goals + 38 assists while -1) and Brady Vail )32 goals and 51 assists while +29) stand out from their stats.

2 defencemen in Dalton Thrower (12 goals and 27 assists) and Ville Pokka are also intriguing as mentioned by devo22.

Those stats are from last year too. Pokka had 6 goals and 21 assists in 54 games this last season. Thrower had 39 points in 42 games this year.

[DOOM]

I know Thrower was a 2nd round pick, but he was also an overager this year in the CHL.

Id rather the Flames take a flyer on Guillaume Gelinas (Overage d-man that played for Val d'or)

67 games played - 23 goals, 69 assists in the regular season.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Any word on Coda Gordon signing? Is it just a question of a new GM slowing things down a bit? It seems like his size and point production (especially considering where he was drafted) stands out on that list as well.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by DOOM

I know Thrower was a 2nd round pick, but he was also an overager this year in the CHL.

Id rather the Flames take a flyer on Guillaume Gelinas (Overage d-man that played for Val d'or)

67 games played - 23 goals, 69 assists in the regular season.

He's very small and not the world's greatest skater. He had a good year but not a great prospect.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Any word on Coda Gordon signing? Is it just a question of a new GM slowing things down a bit? It seems like his size and point production (especially considering where he was drafted) stands out on that list as well.

Was wondering that too. He's the 5th highest scoring player on that list and has decent size, with room to fill. Anyone know what the knock on him is?

[Wolfman]

How about Sabres pick D Brady Austin. 6'4 225 33 pts +51 this year.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Any word on Coda Gordon signing? Is it just a question of a new GM slowing things down a bit? It seems like his size and point production (especially considering where he was drafted) stands out on that list as well.

pretty sure they won't sign him. Why would they wait for such a long time? His season ended ages ago and he spent time with the Heat, yet still nothing. At this stage, I'd be very surprised if they gave him a contract.

[Burke Salad]

Brady Vail, any relation to Eric Vail?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Devo, I am thinking the same, but am curious as to why he wouldn't fit in the plan. Perhaps I am mistaken, but isn't it usually the case that most 6-7 round draft picks are signed even though they are longshots by definition?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Guys taken in the late rounds usually have some holes in their games. So when deciding to sign them you'd want to have seen progression in the areas if their game that needed work. I think Gordon was a mediocre skater and I'm not sure he's improved it enough. His point totals didn't see a steady progression like most prospects have.

Not worth throwing away contract spots unless you think the kid will be an NHLer.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Was wondering that too. He's the 5th highest scoring player on that list and has decent size, with room to fill. Anyone know what the knock on him is?

From what I remember of him last season, it was much of his non-scoring abilities. He didn't make himself a pest in front of the net despite getting a lot of goals from that position in his draft year, plodding speed, mediocre in his own end...doesn't hit despite going to the dirty areas of the ice.

He sounds a lot like a Matt Moulson type of player, but I think Moulson is the exception, not the rule for this type of play.

[The Original FFIV]

Found this on Thrower - sounds like potential character issues:

Future

Thrower will receive a chance to play at the AHL level if he can show that he's ready and mature enough to turn pro. It might be better for his overall development for the physical defender to return for another year at the junior level and improve his defensive game under new coach, Don Hay with the Vancouver Giants. He needs to learn to be a pro hockey player both on and off the ice. His skillset is still very much needed in the Canadiens' organization.


http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/dalton_thrower/


Button's brother seemed to think that Winther was the best WHL prospect in 2012, wonder if we could throw Dallas a 6th or 7th rounder and see if he grows/bulks up to the pro level.


TSN’s Craig Button sees Winther as the best draft-eligible forward in the WHL, ranking him at #35. NHL Central Scouting ranks him #21 amidst North American skaters, second only to Colton Sissons among WHL forwards; ISS ranks him #36 overall, also behind Sissons.


http://thehockeywriters.com/mike-win...spect-profile/


And if we want to add depth to the goaltending ranks, Ottawa looking to deal Francois Brassard's rights:


Senators are trying to trade the rights of G François Brassard. If they can't, Brassard will be available for the June draft in Philly


https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/sta...38091428724736

[sureLoss]

Kelly Friesen ‏@KellyFriesen
Former Vancouver Giant Dalton Thrower is close to inking his ELC with the Montreal Canadians.

Kelly Friesen ‏@KellyFriesen
Thrower's ankle was somewhat of a holdup in the contract negotiations.