Eric Comrie returns to Winnipeg Jets on one-year deal

A familiar face is headed back to the hangar.

Eric Comrie has signed a one-year contract worth $825,000, signaling his fourth stint with the club over the past decade.

Comrie was initially drafted 59th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2013 before eventually making his debut in 2016-17. Once considered a top goaltending prospect, he struggled to earn more time, playing just five games in Winnipeg during his initial three-year run with the club.

That spurred a period that saw him bounce around teams, Arizona, Detroit, back to Winnipeg, New Jersey and back to Winnipeg again. Comrie finally became a full-time NHLer in 2021-22 with the Jets, where he posted a 10-5-1 record with a .920 save percentage, showing value as a backup behind Connor Hellebuyck. In 2022-23, Comrie posted his best season to date, going 10-5-1 and a .920 save percentage.

Comrie signed with Buffalo as a free agent in 2022-23 and would spend two years with the club, but saw him land in the AHL with Rochester both times as he struggled to stay consistent. Going to Winnipeg to serve as Hellebuyck’s backup again gives him a chance to try and rebound behind a team that played stronger defensively last year. He’ll serve as a replacement for Laurent Brossoit, who left via free agency on Monday to seek a better deal elsewhere.

The Jets still have a trio of restricted free agents needing deals – Cole Perfetti, David Gustafsson and Logan Stanley. Beyond that, they have 12 forwards, four defenders and two goalies signed, with around $10 million in cap space to work with. Other goaltenders signed to deals include Thomas Milic and Domenic DiVincentiis, who are both expected to play for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose next year.