In hindsight, the NHL's bubble-era has seemingly helped to derail the NHL careers of many young guns and prospects. Whether it was the training restrictions, the introduction of the taxi squad or even the mental aspects, the development curve of numerous promising NHL hopefuls have either flatlined or seemingly regressed.
Maxime Comtois is the newest addition to that growing list of players as the once NHL top-six hopeful has signed a one-year contract with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL.
Comtois (Anaheim, 50th overall in 2017) is coming off a particularly rough season, which began with his restricted free agent rights getting let go by Anaheim before 2023's free agency. He would remain unsigned for the entire off-season before nabbing a pro try-out with the Vegas Golden Knights by training camp. Despite his best efforts, he was cut by the team and had to settle for a minor league deal with the AHL's sole independent team, the Chicago Wolves.
Playing in his first AHL games since the 2020-21 season, Comtois scored at a lower rate this season than he did when he was previously in the American league, nabbing just 44 points (19+25) over 65 games. He would receive a contract by the Carolina Hurricanes by the NHL trade deadline, but would only lace up for two games with the Hurricanes during the final stretch of the regular season and playoffs, notching an assist. Much like the Ducks the year before, the Canes opted to forego his rights and let him walk to free agency.
Last season was a massive step downwards for a player who is a tenured NHLer with a point a game average that would have him scoring an average of 33 points in a full NHL season, and has been a regular producer for Team Canada at the World Championships. Over six NHL seasons, Comtois was able netted 38 goals and 47 assists for 87 points across 211 games.
Before his professional career, Comtois was a dominant force in the QMJHL with the Victoriaville Tigres and the Drummondville Voltigeurs between 2015-2019.
Across 205 games in the QMJHL, Comtois scored 123 goals and 121 assists for 244 points.