Dallas Stars Prospects Update: Texas Stars (AHL) Forwards
CEDAR PARK, TEXAS -- Last season, the Texas Stars were guided by their veterans on their way to the Calder Cup Finals. Travis Morin (34 years old) paced the entire American Hockey League in assists, 27-year-old Curtis McKenzie led the team in goals, and 27-year-old Justin Dowling manned the top line center position. They relied heavily on their experienced players in winning the Western Conference Championship.
But this season, the Stars have instead been anchored by a group of exciting young guns. On offense, Denis Gurianov and Joel L'Esperance have been more dangerous than anyone on the club.
With that being said, the team veterans are still locking things down. Dowling was recently named captain, Erik Condra is at a point-per-game scoring rate and Morin just played his 800th career AHL game.
Forwards
Denis Gurianov - Grade: A+Season Stats: 22 GP, 9G-17A-25P, +6, 6 PIM
You could make a case for someone else, but Gurianov has been the best player on the Texas Stars through the first quarter of the season, and he really should be with Dallas. The former first-rounder has fended off "bust" monikers and has exploded this season, apparently coming to fruition as the player scouts thought he could become. He is more assertive on offense and his hockey IQ -- especially his play in his own zone -- has taken major strides. What a joy to watch.
Joel L'Esperance - Grade: A-Season Stats: 23 GP, 12G-11A-23P, +3, 19 PIM
Shoutout to the Stars' scouting department. An undrafted free agent signing last season turned entry-level contract recipient this year, L'Esperance has blossomed into a legitimate prospect for Dallas and a potential NHL center in the near future. His large frame and determination are a coach's dream, but his underrated skills and decent skating ability for a bigger player give him a high ceiling. As of this write-up, he is the Stars' goal-scoring lead.
Justin Dowling - Grade: A-Season Stats: 19 GP, 7G-17A-24P, +4, 4 PIM
The newest captain of the Texas Stars, Justin Dowling has shown just how valuable he is to the club in the early parts of the season. With over a point per game while bouncing up and down from the NHL, Dowling has been exceptional in between Gurianov and Michael Mersch on the Stars' top line as a guy who can generate his own shot and set teammates up brilliantly.
Erik Condra - Grade: B+Season Stats: 23 GP, 11G-17A-28P, +7, 28 PIM
A veteran of over 350 NHL games, Erik Condra has been, in a nutshell, the perfect replacement for Curtis McKenzie, who departed in free agency last year. He scores big, timely goals, he plays all three forward positions with regularity, and positions himself on both sides of special teams to the delight of Laxdal and his crew. The stat of 27 points in 22 games despite his ever-changing role speaks for itself.
Roope Hintz - Grade: B+Season Stats: 10 GP, 5G-7A-12P, +1, 4 PIM
After making the Dallas roster out of training camp, being reassigned to Texas, and later being recalled again, Roope Hintz reminded Texas fans why he's an NHL-ready player after all. His four goals and seven assists in nine games were scored by utilizing his main gameplay tools: his blazing speed, incredible wrist shot, and smarts. Hintz is, deservedly so, kicking it in Dallas as of this write-up.
Michael Mersch - Grade: B+Season Stats: 15 GP, 5G-6A-11P, -5, 2 PIM
A big-time goal scorer at the AHL level before this season, Mersch has been a key addition to a lineup that was otherwise void of veterans with his scorer's acumen. Though a lower-body injury has sidelined him recently, Mersch had been a wondrous winger for Dowling and Gurianov and a power play weapon unlike many others on the club. When he returns to full health, the Stars will rejoice.
Adam Mascherin - Grade: BSeason Stats: 22 GP, 10G-8A-18P, +7, 8 PIM
Dallas took a chance on Adam Mascherin in drafting him in the fourth-round of this past NHL Draft, but the early results from the AHL are making it look like a smart move. Two Sundays ago, Mascherin tallied his first pro hat trick as part of a four-point night. His shot is nasty, and though his skating lags a bit, he is as creative with passing the puck as he is dangerous in shooting it.
Colton Hargrove - Grade: BSeason Stats: 23 GP, 6G-6A-12P, +7, 15 PIM
A native Texan, Hargrove has fit right into the team nearest his hometown of Rockwall. Several times this season, he has brilliantly set up a linemate's goal, in addition to routinely being able to wire the puck from distance. He had a Gordie Howe hat trick in November, which is a perfect summation of what he brings to this club: big-time scoring, flashy passes, and physicality.
Travis Morin - Grade: C+Season Stats: 23 GP, 4G-12A-16P, -3, 16 PIM
Having just played his 800th AHL game, Travis Morin has seen a lot, and of course, the 34-year-old has been much better than he's been this season. His wheels are gone, and he hasn't been very effective in his move back to center, which led to another move to the left wing. On the flip side, he is on pace for more than 40 points for the 10th season in a row. That is AHL Hall of Fame level long-term production from the former MVP.
Colin Markison - Grade: C-Season Stats: 22 GP, 2G-6A-8P, +1, 4 PIM
When the Stars re-signed Markison before this season, they wished for speed, speed, more speed, and some depth scoring. Markison has been everything the front office desired. He is on pace for more than the 27 points he scored last year while playing virtually the same role on the depth chart.
Nicholas Caamano - Grade: C-Season Stats: 22 GP, 4G-2A-6P, +2, 22 PIM
Caamano is better than his first quarter production indicates; he was just shy of a point per game in the OHL last season. However, his transition to the pros has been detrimental to his numbers. With only four points in 18 games despite, at times, top-six minutes with Morin and L'Esperance, is alarming for a prospect whose main appeal is finding ways to bury it. Maybe he's due for an increase in scoring.
Samuel Laberge - Grade: DSeason Stats: 13 GP, 1G-2A-3P, -3, 18 PIM
Laberge brings scrappiness and smarts to the lineup, but that's it. He doesn't have a fiery scoring touch or any veteran presence to instill on the locker room. He's just a solid extra forward.
James Phelan - Grade: DSeason Stats: 20 GP, 2G-1A-3P, Even, 6 PIM
Phelan has been fine in his fourth-line center role, potting three points in 16 games with no more than 11-12 minutes a night. As a free agent signing this past offseason, you can't ask for much more out of him.
Robbie Payne - Grade: IncompleteSeason Stats: 8 GP, 0G-3A-3P, -3, 2 PIM
After a good college career at Northern Michigan, Robbie Payne's AHL career hasn't fared as well. The rookie forward doesn't have the raw skills necessary to be a fixture in the Stars' lineup, but he has been good enough to tally three assists in six games without any noticeably large mistakes.
Tony Calderone - Grade IncompleteSeason Stats: 6 GP, 1G-0A-1P, -3, 4 PIM
Calderone has been a major disappointment and is playing in the ECHL right now. A goal early in the year is all he has to his name, a far cry from his point-per-game rates at the University of Michigan a season ago.
Elgin Pearce - Grade: IncompleteSeason Stats: 5 GP, 1G-0A-1P, -1, 2 PIM
After making the team out of preseason play, Pearce has spent most of the season in the ECHL but has a goal to boast about as of now.
