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Originally Posted by Ziggy Lidstrom
Poirier is a decent bit of business as you say but his defensive game has a long way to go to defend at the nhl level and his offense isn’t Cale Makar like. So really we have a lot of development left with him. He’s not physical and he will struggle at the pro level with his coverage. Think a worse Noah hanifin. He has his warts but no prospect evaluator is saying things are on the up with him. His recent benchings confirm the sentiments if anything. I hope all the prospects do well but to play at the highest level you have to be very competent physically as a dman unless your offence is top tier. He falls into neither category. This to me the risk wasn’t worth the reward but I’m not a decision maker.
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As someone who’s been to and watched a large chunk of the Wranlers this year I’d say you’re analysis of Porier is a bit off/harsh.
First he’s already playing “pro” this is his first year and he leads the D on the Wranglers with 36pts in 51 games. He’s #1 Rookie defensemen with over 10 more points than highly touted D like Jiricek, Edvinsson and Nemec and currently in 6th for all D in the AHL.
His pro game has actually been quite good, he’s +4 so far from the “defensively inept” that some have judged him as. Could it use some work? Sure, but he’s the most offensively gifted D man we’ve seen since probably Dion.
The guy is gifted offensively, he’s very shifty and has great hands, huge bonus for being quite good in the shootout too.
If you get a chance, go take in a game and watch him live, I’m confident you’d be pleasantly surprised how good he looks.
I have high hopes for him, I thought he looked good last rookie camp and even into the pro group so here’s hoping he turns into a good PP quarterback/offensive threat we desperately need.