We're in the top three in our annual FlamesNation prospect rankings now, and when you get to the top three, you know you're getting good players. At least, in theory you are - and unless your prospect pool has no hope whatsoever, by this point, you're looking at future NHLers.
The Flames are a few years out of the hopeless prospect pool era now. And Emile Poirier, who comes in at number three? He's probably gonna be pretty good.
Not that there was necessarily any reason to think he was a good pick from the start. Sure, there was some stuff to like about him - he's fast, he can score (although barely over a point per game in the QMJHL in your draft year doesn't necessarily scream high talent), he's physical - but nobody had him ranked as a first round pick.