The Calgary Flames have moved on from defenseman Jeremie Poirier, sending him to the Dallas Stars organization in exchange for AHL blueliner Gavin White. It’s a relatively minor transaction on the surface, but it closes the chapter on what was once a promising story in Calgary.
Poirier, once viewed as a high-upside prospect with offensive flair, never quite found his footing in the Flames’ system. So, what happened?
A Prospect with Promise - and Questions
Back in 2020, Poirier was projected by some to sneak into the late first round of the NHL Draft. Instead, the Flames took him in the third round - a value pick, given his offensive numbers at the time.
As a defenseman with the Saint John Sea Dogs, Poirier was nearly a point-per-game player. In fact, he was second in scoring among defensemen in the entire league, trailing only his teammate and D-partner William Villeneuve.
There was no questioning his ability with the puck. He could move it, shoot it, and quarterback a power play with ease.
The issue was always on the other side of the puck. Defensively, Poirier struggled.
He had a tough time defending his own zone, often losing positioning and letting attackers get to the middle of the ice - a no-go for any NHL-caliber defenseman.
There was even chatter at one point about potentially moving him up to forward, given his offensive instincts. Poirier himself acknowledged in interviews that he enjoyed driving play from the back end, which made the idea intriguing. But the Flames stuck with him on the blue line, hoping the defensive side of his game would round out.
Growth in the QMJHL
To his credit, Poirier did show progress. He spent two more seasons in the QMJHL with Saint John, and while his offensive numbers dipped slightly, his defensive game improved.
He went from a -25 in his draft year to a +30 in his final season, which ended with a Memorial Cup championship. That kind of turnaround is no small feat - even in the Q, a league known more for scoring than shutdown defense.
Still, the transition from junior to pro hockey is a different beast. The QMJHL doesn’t always produce the most defensively polished players, and that’s something even current NHLers like Jonathan Huberdeau have had to work through.
A Promising Start in the AHL
Poirier made his pro debut with the Calgary Wranglers and wasted little time making an impression. As a rookie, he tallied 41 points in 69 games - good enough to rank 16th among all AHL defensemen and second on his team behind Nick DeSimone.
That kind of production from the back end is rare, especially for a first-year player. It looked like Poirier was on the right track.
Then came a setback no one could have predicted. A gruesome injury - a skate blade laceration to the arm - cast serious doubt on his future.
There were real concerns about whether he’d be able to play again. But Poirier battled back, and not only returned to the lineup, but posted 42 points in 71 games the following season.
He led all Wranglers defensemen in scoring and seemed like a lock to get at least a look at the NHL level.
But that call never came.
The Slide in Year Three
This season, things took a sharp turn. Poirier’s production cratered - just one goal and six assists - and his spot in the lineup slipped.
In his final game with the Wranglers, he was on the second pairing, behind Daniil Miromanov and Artyom Grushnikov. That’s a steep fall for someone who led the team’s defense in points just a year ago.
Part of the issue is competition. The Flames have two rookie right-shot defensemen in Hunter Brzustewicz and Zayne Parekh who are quickly climbing the ranks.
Both bring skill, poise, and upside - and they’ve essentially leapfrogged Poirier on the organizational depth chart. With limited room on the right side and younger players pushing up, Poirier found himself on the outside looking in.
A New Start in Dallas
Sometimes, a player just needs a change of scenery. That’s exactly what Poirier gets with this move to the Stars organization.
The return - Gavin White - isn’t going to move the needle much, but this trade wasn’t about winning the deal on paper. It was about giving a once-promising prospect a fresh start, and maybe a better chance to carve out a path to the NHL.
For Poirier, the tools are still there. The offensive instincts, the skating, the puck-moving - those don’t just disappear.
But he’ll need to find consistency in his own zone and re-establish his confidence. If he can do that, there’s still a chance he finds his way to the big stage.
The Flames, meanwhile, are moving forward with a new wave of defensive talent. And while Poirier’s time in Calgary didn’t pan out the way many hoped, his story isn’t over. It’s just heading to Dallas.