Flames sign Jérémie Poirier to entry level deal

Some signing news on a Friday afternoon, friends. The Calgary Flames announced that they’ve signed defenseman Jérémie Poirier to a three-year entry level deal.

A product of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, Poirier turned 19 in June and is an offensive-minded, right shot blueliner. He was a third round selection of the Flames, 72nd overall, in the 2020 NHL Draft. (By sheer coincidence, his training camp number is 72.)

Poirier is an offensive dynamo, excellent at puck movement and a strong skater who can zip up and down the ice. The hole in his game is his defensive zone play and play away from the puck. But evidently the Flames have seen enough from him to think they can round him out. (He was very noticeable in both rookie camp games against Edmonton.)

Since Poirier signed in his 19-year-old season his deal automatically slides once, so it won’t kick in until the 2022-23 season. He’ll be 20 then and likely poised to transition into pro hockey. Given Poirier’s offensive output and upside, this is a very low-risk signing for an entry level deal.