Former Flames' First Round Pick Signs In Canadiens Organization

The Montreal Canadiens are bringing a former first round pick to their organization after Emile Poirier spent the last two seasons playing in three different leagues overseas. He was the Calgary Flames' 2013 first round pick who went 22nd overall and only ended up playing eight games in the NHL.

When playing in the QMJHL before he was drafted and after, there were many signs of solid development by Poirier and he progressed his offensive game and overall game about as well as any other first rounder would have and still does. But it's once a player transitions over to pro that some struggle to generally find their footing in the NHL. Poirier started off well in the AHL and then struggled to even find consistency and production there before heading overseas after the 2019-20 campaign with the Manitoba Moose where he scored six goals and 14 points in 50 games in his last season in North America.

Poirier played in the Slovakian Extraleague, Kontinental Hockey League, and Swedish Hockey League for the past two seasons and appears to have gained some of his confidence and offensive touch back. The Canadiens aren't taking a big risk here, signing Poirier to a one-year, two-way deal with Laval Rocket, their AHL team, considering they can even send him to the ECHL if his play isn't adequate.

It will be a storyline to watch if Poirier can somehow find his footing in North America again and eventually ever play another game in the NHL.