Joel L’Esperance

June 2022 – L’Esperance’s game has steadily improved over his past four full-time seasons in the pros. Earning short NHL stints in all four of these seasons, he has not quite seemed to find a fit on the NHL roster, however, now three full successful AHL campaigns into his career (183 games played, 80 goals, 56 assists, 136 points), the NHL still appears to be an obtainable goal for the undrafted 26 year old. If he remains in Dallas, he would be a front-runner for an NHL spot, especially under the coaching regime of newly-hired Pete DeBoer, who instills a slightly more offensive game than former coach Rick Bowness. Currently a group-six UFA (he hasn’t played enough NHL games for Dallas to retain him as an RFA) , Dallas could still definitely choose to retain him, although, still young, he would be a tantalizing free agent for several teams. Aaron Itovitch

February 2020 – L’Esperance busted out of a six game pointless streak against the Niagara Ice Dogs with two power play goals. In addition, he had the opportunity to get his first career AHL hat trick but could not beat Collin Delia on a penalty shot. After lighting up the league last year and coming within four goals of the league leader (he tallied 30 goals in 54 games), L’Esperance has come back to earth this season. Last year L’esperance was shooting at a very high rate of 19.0%, and that percentage has come back closer to the norm this year at 12.3%. With only a slightly elevated shot per game rate, this is the reason that his  goal total has dropped by 33.3%. In saying that, L’Esperance is Texas’ second leading scorer and has to be near the top of the list for a call up by Jim Nill, add that to the fact that he can play in a bottom six role and it only helps his case in the future. Jordan Lambe

February 2019 – In his first year out of college, the undrafted centre has exploded onto the AHL scene. Boasting 41 points in 48 games and a trip to the AHL all-star game in his rookie season, L’Esperance also currently leads the league in goals with 26. Joel now looks to be a top candidate to earn a call-up to the big team after being a long-shot at the beginning of the season. Nate Duffett