Centreman’s story is similar to many in the AHL — players who have been drafted early, but never made it to the NHL on a full-time basis.
When he was traded on Jan. 7 for Michael McCarron, Laurent Dauphin was so eager to join the Laval Rocket — and knowing he’d require access to a vehicle — he drove 12 hours from Milwaukee to Syracuse to ensure he’d be available for last weekend’s three-game road trip.
In the third game of that excursion last Sunday, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound centre scored once for his new team against Bridgeport. And a family member returned his car to Quebec.
“To come here’s the best scenario, for sure,” said Dauphin, who was playing for the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s AHL affiliate. “I actually wanted to get out of Milwaukee. I felt like I’d reached a dead end a bit. I felt like I was playing good hockey the whole year, but was missing a little opportunity.
“I just needed a change of scenery. Coming here, maybe I’ll play a little more, which will help me for sure.”
Vancouver Canucks’ Alexander Edler checks Phoenix Coyotes’ Laurent Dauphin during the first period in Vancouver on Jan. 10, 2019.
DARRYL DYCK /
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Dauphin’s story is similar to many in the AHL — players who have been drafted early, but never made it to the NHL on a full-time basis for whatever reason.
He was selected in the second round (39th overall) by Phoenix in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft following three productive seasons with the Chicoutimi juniors.
Dauphin played 35 games with the Coyotes and once scored a short-handed goal against Montreal at the Bell Centre. But scoring three goals and adding an assist during that four-year span simply wasn’t good enough to cut it. Of course, the 24-year-old prospect’s opportunities and ice time were limited during most of those occasions.
“Maybe both (he and McCarron) reached a dead end,” the Repentigny native said. “Maybe we both needed a new start, a different vision by management and the coaches. Sometimes a trade can put you back in the game.
“I had a good chance. I did good while I was there,” added Dauphin, who has been limited to only three NHL games since the 2016-17 season. “It didn’t work out. But I feel like I can go back to that pace and play.”
Dauphin had two stints in the Coyotes’ organization and also has been traded to Chicago and Nashville. His big-league time might have been limited, but Dauphin has more than 250 games in the AHL, bouncing around from Portland to Springfield to Tucson, Rockford and then Milwaukee as the Coyotes frequently changed the venue of their affiliate.
Rocket head coach Joël Bouchard first noticed Dauphin when he scouted him as a midget. Bouchard said Dauphin has talent and hockey sense. He believes Dauphin has enough attributes that he could return to the NHL.
“I like what I’ve seen in some of his play over the weekend,” Bouchard said after the Rocket’s 60-minute practice Thursday at Place Bell. “He has a lot of things that can’t be taught, meaning he knows where to be on the ice. He has a feel for hockey.”
Although Bouchard said he likes Dauphin’s shot, skating and hands, he’d like to see him develop into more of a power forward.
“His hockey sense is obvious, but that’s also your problem. Then you just feel the game. If sense is your No. 1 skill, I think you’re in trouble. Hockey sense can’t get you out of everything. You’ll become a vanilla player,” Bouchard explained.
“Laurent can be an edge player. I’m going to push him. It’s fun to see a guy with potential. I feel there’s a lot more under the hood.”
Dauphin had knee surgery two seasons ago, but believes his speed has returned. At his best, he said he can combine that swiftness with offence and his sense of where to be on the ice. But he also knows it will be a two-way game that ultimately dictates whether he returns to the NHL.
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Although at age 24 he has time on his side, Dauphin also knows he’s working on a one-year contract that carries no guarantees.
“For sure, it’s a little pressure,” he said. “At the same time, you try to focus on your game. Give it everything you have. If it works … If not? At least you have no regrets.”
Meanwhile, the Canadiens announced Wednesday that forward Matthew Peca had been assigned to the Rocket. He suffered a knee injury Dec. 10 against Pittsburgh and played only one game since then. Forced to augment his roster recently with some players who were on pro tryouts, Peca’s addition will be welcomed by Bouchard.
“We’re going to turn him loose and play him in all situations to get his game back as soon as he can,” the coach said.