The Jets are reportedly happy with their replacements for the backup goalie job
The Winnipeg Jets went out in free agency and added two netminders for the backup role behind Connor Hellebuyck, in New Jersey’s Kaapo Kähkönen and Buffalo’s Eric Comrie.
Manitoba Moose goalie development coach and team scout, Drew MacIntrye was pleased with the team's new additions between the pipes.
“We are happy with the goaltending depth that we now have throughout our organization,” he said.
There is no telling who will be the backup just yet, as we see what unfolds at development camp. MacIntrye feels strongly that both goalies should excel with the team.
“Kähkönen showed great potential in Minnesota and with now only being 27, we still feel he has room to grow and develop his game to another level,” he said. “It was a tough situation in San Jose, but he showed flashes and then he performed very well in New Jersey in a small sample size.”
During his time in Minnesota, Kähkönen posted a 31-17-4 record with a 2.89 goals against average. Indubitably, his numbers took a turn for the worst when joining one of the league’s worst teams over the past three seasons, but he did make a subtle resurgence in New Jersey.
With the Devils, he started just six games but recorded a 2.51 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
A familiar face returns to the Jets with Eric Comrie. The 28-year-old netminder begins his fourth stint with the team as he returns on a two-year deal.
“The organization is extremely familiar with Eric and although his stint in Buffalo didn’t go the way he wanted it to we still believe he can get his game to where it was in his previous stint here,” MacIntyre said.
During the 2021-22 season, Comrie posted a 2.58 goals against average and a .920 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Jets.
MacIntrye is confident that returning back to a familiar place could help propel Comrie’s game back to a similar place.
“We believe the familiar faces and environment will definitely help him get his game to where it was,” he said. “A major factor of how it went in Buffalo was some injuries, so a big part of that will be maintaining his health and gaining his confidence.”
The two netminders should produce quite the battle for the backup role with hopefully one of them turning into a great low-cost replacement for former backup Laurent Brossoit.