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How can Jeremie Poirier stand out in a crowded Flames defensive prospect pool?
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Photo credit: Angela Burger/Calgary Wranglers
Paige Siewert
Oct 10, 2025, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 10, 2025, 10:37 EDT
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Jeremie Poirier got a much-needed full season in with the Wranglers last year after dealing with an injury-riddled year in the season prior. He played in every game but one and led the team in assists with 37. After getting cut at Calgary Flames camp last month, he needed waivers to be assigned to the Calgary Wranglers and cleared.
Now, he goes into his fourth season with the Flames affiliate.

Meets expectations

Poirier has shown what he’s capable of when he gets a full season in. He has two seasons with pretty similar production already. He had 42 points in his rookie season and 41 last season. He’ll put up over 30 assists and can score when given the chance. He is also a sneaky tool the Wranglers have in shootouts, as he went a perfect four for four last season. 
Poirier took some time to get going last season but was pretty streaky. If he is healthy and able to get started from the get-go, his numbers should show some improvement. He is expected to get more playing time and should land high among team rankings in assists once again. 

Exceeds expectations

With Ilya Solovyov getting picked up on waivers last week, Jeremie Poirier’s current spot in the depth chart took a bit of a jump. Now, he and his regular defensive partner, Artem Grushnikov, are projected to be the second defensive pairing in the AHL. Yan Kuznsetsov and Hunter Brzustewicz should have the top pairing nailed down, and Grushnikov and Poirier would be the next regular pairing returning to the squad. 
With this uptick in playing time and likely special team scenarios, he could lean more into the parts of his game he succeeds the most in. Specifically scoring. If Poirier is able to do that, he could battle it out with Brzustewicz to lead defensive scoring and be a top three choice for a defensive call-up. 
If Poirier finally makes his NHL debut this season and is able to stay for a few games, he’d prove he is still a prospect to be talking about and not someone who is already past their prime. 

Below expectations

If Poirier is unable to contribute this year like he did in previous seasons, he will land below what is expected of him. He is an offensive defenceman and without that side of his game, he may have to scramble to keep up with the other blue liners. He has had moments that can be quite costly in a game and needs to work on limiting them to avoid affecting his team negatively. 
Poirier could put himself on the map this season if he plays to his strengths and owns the second pairing alongside Artem Grushnikov or whoever else along the depth steps up to play alongside him. 
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