F Joel L'Esperance (2013 Undrafted; Signed by DAL)

Sticktape

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Jan 25, 2017
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Figured I'd start a thread for this player considering his start this year. Sits at 10 goals and 9 assists in 20 games so far for Texas in the AHL. Good enough for 3rd in rookie scoring (although he played 9 regular season games and 22 playoff games last year). A big kid with a good shot. Another one of those strange cases where a player puts up average numbers in college and then runs at close to a PPG in the AHL.

I think it's only a matter of time before he gets a call up. Can anyone offer any insight into this player?

eliteprospects link
 
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serp

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I'm not sure his skillset translates very well to the NHL level. Alot of garbage goals and defelections from what i've seen. Probably a 3rd-4th liner in the NHL at best to be honest. Think Curtis McKenzie . There's also a couple of good forwards on Texas that Dallas drafted that would get called up ahead of him imho .

By the way he didn't just play 9 games last year but also 22 playoff games for Texas ( 1 goal and 3 assists )
 
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Sticktape

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Jan 25, 2017
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I'm not sure his skillset translates very well to the NHL level. Alot of garbage goals and defelections from what i've seen. Probably a 3rd-4th liner in the NHL to be honest. Think Curtis McKenzie . There's also a couple of good forwards on Texas that Dallas drafted that would get called up ahead of him imho .

By the way he didn't just play 9 games last year but also 22 playoff games for Texas ( 1 goal and 3 assists )
Edited OP to reflect this.
 

EXTRAS

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Currently leading AHL rookies in points.

24 points in 23 games.
 

MrHeiskanen

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Nov 12, 2017
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Scott White is amazing at finding these College kids who come in and are strong strong strong AHL players.
 

Sticktape

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Another two goals tonight. Continues to light it up. 28 points through 32 games.
 

EXTRAS

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30 points in 33 games in his rookie AHL season.

Should get a call up this season sometime. Hopefully can become a 2nd liner at the nhl level to give the stars some depth.
 

serp

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Once Condras stint is over L'Esperance should get a look. Can't be worse than what Condra did last game and Ritchie hasn't exactly been good either. As long as Dickinson is out there's a spot in the lineup to be had for any callup to make his mark and you don't even need to be good. You only needs to beat out Brett Ritchie which quite frankly shouldn't be that difficult.
 

Kcb12345

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Jun 6, 2017
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30 points in 33 games in his rookie AHL season.

Should get a call up this season sometime. Hopefully can become a 2nd liner at the nhl level to give the stars some depth.

They called up Condra instead :laugh:
 

Sticktape

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You have to think that with a team like Dallas it's only a matter of time before he gets a game or two. He's 2nd in the AHL in goals through 33 games.
 

serp

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Jan 17, 2016
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You have to think that with a team like Dallas it's only a matter of time before he gets a game or two. He's 2nd in the AHL in goals through 33 games.

Especially since all the other leading scorers for Texas all have gotten callups already. He should be next in line but who knows maybe Mascherin sees a chance before him but at this point he should get a callup .
 

Kcb12345

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Jun 6, 2017
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2 goals and an assist tonight. Up to 22 goals in 37 games, 1 behind the league lead with 3 games in hand. Pretty impressive for the rookie (even though he's 23 years old but still)

Hope he gets called up. Stars could really use a goal scorer and maybe he could chip in
 

Sticktape

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Jan 25, 2017
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It will be interesting to see if he can keep up the pace. If my digging is correct there's only been 7 instances of a rookie leading the AHL in goals since 1936.
 

Sticktape

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Jan 25, 2017
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Well, the 2016/2017 AHL Guide & Record Book states that Vatrano was the 7th rookie to do it in 2015/2016, so I'm assuming that's right.

Edit: Tried linking it but it doesn't work. Easy to find online. Page 24.

But, I think these are the 7:

Frank Vatrano with 36 in 36 - 2015/2016
Cory Conacher with 39 in 75 - 2011/2012
Brett Sterling with 55 in 77 - 2006/2007
Jerry Holland with 44 in 67 - 1974/1975
Joe Bell with 46 in 62 - 1945/1946
Phil Hergesheimer with 25 in 47 - 1937/1938
Brian Hextall Sr. with 29 in 48 - 1936/1937

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
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AveryStar4Eva

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With how weak our right side is and our need for scoring I really can’t see why he hasn’t gotten a look in the NHL yet. Hopefully before the year is up.
 
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serp

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Jan 17, 2016
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With how weak our right side is and our need for scoring I really can’t see why he hasn’t gotten a look in the NHL yet. Hopefully before the year is up.

Shapiro said how he had talked with L'Esperance and how he didn't feel comfortable anywhere but at Center right now. He also purely played Center in Texas the whole year. If you call him up you have to put him at Center and probably in the Top6 as well.
 
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AveryStar4Eva

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Aug 28, 2014
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Shapiro how he had a talked with L'Esperance and how he didn't feel comfortable anywhere but at Center right now. He also purely played Center in Texas the whole year. If you call him up you have to put him at Center and probably in the Top6 as well.

Thanks for the insite wasn’t aware of that. That would be a bit more difficult because Seguin, Spezza, Dickinson, and Faksa all play best at C.
 

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