The Calgary Flames continue to reshape their roster ahead of the Olympic roster freeze, and while the headline-grabbing move was last month's trade of Rasmus Andersson to Vegas, GM Craig Conroy isn’t done dealing just yet.
On Monday, the Flames struck a smaller-but still intriguing-deal with the Dallas Stars, sending defenseman Jeremie Poirier south in exchange for fellow blueliner Gavin White. Poirier will report to the Texas Stars, Dallas’ AHL affiliate, while White is expected to join the Calgary Wranglers in the same league.
At first glance, this is a swap of two 23-year-old defensemen still trying to carve out their place in the pros. But dig a little deeper, and the trade reveals a bit more about where each player-and each franchise-currently stands.
Poirier: A Flash of Offense, Fading Opportunity
Jeremie Poirier was once considered a promising offensive defenseman. Drafted in the third round by Calgary back in 2020, he showed real upside last season, putting up 42 points in 72 games for the Wranglers. That kind of production from the blue line turns heads, especially in a development league like the AHL.
But this season has been a different story. Through 35 games, Poirier managed just one goal and six points.
That drop-off, combined with Calgary’s evolving defensive depth chart, left him on the outside looking in. The writing had been on the wall for a while-Poirier’s offensive game hadn’t translated into a consistent role, and the Flames clearly felt it was time to move on.
For Dallas, it’s a classic low-risk, high-reward move. They’re betting that a change of scenery and a new system might reignite the offensive spark Poirier once had.
If it works, they’ve added a dynamic puck-mover to their organizational depth. If it doesn’t, they’ve only parted with a player still developing himself.
White: A Steady Hand, Still Waiting His Turn
Coming the other way is Gavin White, a 2022 fourth-rounder who’s taken a more understated path. He hasn’t made his NHL debut yet, and his offensive numbers-27 points in 118 AHL games-won’t jump off the page.
But what he brings is a steadier, more defensive-minded game. After bouncing between the AHL and ECHL last season, White has settled in as a regular at the AHL level this year.
For Calgary, this is about adding a different kind of depth. White may not have the offensive upside of Poirier, but he could offer more reliability in his own zone.
And with the Flames likely headed for a lottery pick this season, they’ve got some flexibility in how they evaluate young talent. The question now is whether White gets a look at the NHL level before season’s end, or if he remains a fixture on the Wranglers’ blue line.
What This Tells Us About Calgary’s Direction
This move isn’t a blockbuster, but it’s another signpost on the Flames’ current path. With the team in a transitional phase and the playoffs out of reach, Calgary is clearly focused on reshaping its depth and giving new faces a chance to prove themselves. Moving on from Poirier signals a willingness to cut ties with prospects who’ve plateaued, and bringing in White gives them a player who might still have untapped potential in a different role.
It’s also worth noting the timing. With the Olympic roster freeze looming, teams are looking to fine-tune their depth charts and make moves that could pay off down the road. For Calgary, this is about setting the table for the future-even if it’s just a small piece of the puzzle.
Bottom line: The Flames swapped offensive upside for defensive stability, and both teams are hoping a fresh start helps these young defensemen take the next step. It's not a headline-maker, but it’s the kind of move that can quietly shape a team’s future if the fit is right.