Third Man In
The Devils claimed goalie Remi Poirier on the opening roster deadline day. He hadn’t practiced with the team until today, though he has worked on his own and with some of the scratches/rehab players.
Poirier, 25, was a sixth-round pick by Dallas in 2020 and had previously spent his entire career with the Stars. He has yet to make his NHL debut but has started the bulk of the games for their American Hockey League affiliate.
He was expecting to return to the Texas Stars to start the season, until the Devils swooped in.
“I was with the Dallas organization for a couple years and made some great friends. I wasn’t expecting it,” he said. “I had some good seasons the past couple years. I don’t have a lot of expectations. It’s nice that I got picked up.
“It’s been great to be here with the team. I’m really grateful that the team picked me. Hopefully at some point I can get a look. Right now, I’m just working hard every day.”
Poirier went 27-19-6 with a 2.61 goals-against average and .912 save percent last season for Texas. He has a career 70-51-14 record with a 2.76 GAA and .908 save percentage in 70 games.
“Texas is a really good organization. I had really good players and great coaches,” he said of his success. “It allowed me the last four years to develop my game and hopefully get an NHL look at some point.”
Poirier (6-foot-3, 211 pounds) will be the first to admit that he’s not the most flexible goalie. But what he lacks in flexibility, he makes up for with vision and hockey IQ.
“My vision, seeing the play develop. I work really hard and will do anything to stop the puck,” he said. “I’m not the most flexible goalie. I have to get something my way in the games. I think my vision is my best (asset).”
Poirier is currently part of a three-man goalie rotation. But it’s been made clear to him that the club will focus on playing Nico Daws and Jake Allen. So, Poirier is just biding his time with his head down and waiting for his chance.
“It’s a day-by-day situation. They’ll give Daws and Jake the opportunity to do their (thing),” he said. “My part, just work hard every day and see how it goes. We don’t know right now, but we’ll see.
“I try to be the best teammate for those guys, push them to be better like they push me to be better. I’ll try to work on my game and be better.”
If Poirier were to get an NHL look, the Farnham, Quebec native is hoping to follow the footsteps of a fellow Quebecois goaltender.
“Marty Brodeur is one of the best goalies ever, if not the best,” he said. “It’d be a great occasion for me if I can wear that jersey and continue that French Canadian (connection). I wish I had ¼ of his career. I’m just hoping for the best and trying my best when I’m out there.”
