Calgary Flames Top Defensive Prospect Returns to the Ice

The Calgary Flames are looking to get younger and more talented ahead of the trade deadline, with the blue line being the major position of weakness that most point out for them to improve.

With the addition of Hunter Brzustewicz from the Elias Lindholm deal, the youth at the defensive position has already been improved for the Flames, but if they want to build for the future, they may already have their key building block in the organization. Now, the Flames top defensive prospect Jeremie Poirier has officially returned to the ice with the Calgary Wranglers, a sign that he may be ready to go soon in replacing one of Chris Tanev or Noah Hanifin.

Poirier, originally a third-round pick of the Flames back in 2020 broke out in a huge way a season ago, tallying 9 goals and 41 points in 69 games, but it was the start of his 2023-24 campaign for the Wranglers that caught everyone's attention. In 4 games, the 21-year old started red-hot with a goal and six assists in his first four games, before ultimately suffering a brutal injury, a laceration to his wrist via an opponents skate.

After some positive signs in recent times, the Wranglers today officially posted about his return to practice, and while his return to game action is uncertain at this stage, this is an incredible sign. With both Hanifin and Tanev expected to be moved in the upcoming weeks, this would give him the opportunity to potentially slot right in on the second pairing, so if his return continues to go well, expect to see him at some point in the Flaming C this season.