Émile Poirier Autograph Card

Back when he was drafted (22nd overall by the Calgary Flames in 2013), I thought expectations towards Émile Poirier needed to be tempered a bit; this was not top-level, top-line talent, but would have been a very nice second-round pick.

He's 6'1", 185 pounds and gaining weight, and has proven he can score in the LHJMQ with 32- and a 43-goal seasons for the Gatineau Olympiques, and he had a fine rookie season in the AHL in 2014-15, posting 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 55 games with the Adirondack Flames, playing in the AHL All-Star Game in the process. He fell to 29 points in 60 games the following season and 17 (6 goals) in 43 games this year.

Where does his real potential lie? As a middle-six left winger. He's still learning, still growing, still just 22 years old.  Imagine a three-power-forward line comprised of Sam Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk and Poirier, each playing a heavy-hitting game and garnering between 40 and 60 points apiece... that would be nice. I'm no longer certain Bennett will hit that peak, but I'm pretty sure Tkachuk will develop nicely. All three need grooming, that's for certain.

I have at least two more cards of his to showcase, so I'll be keeping you abreast of my impressions throughout his development. In the meantime, here he is sporting the Flames' red (home) uniform, wearing the #57 jersey that slots him perfectly in my Flames Numbers Project, on the signed insert version of card #234 from Upper Deck's 2015-16 SP Authentic set:

It's signed on-card in blue sharpie, part of the Future Watch sub-set and numbered 762/999.