Jets resign Comrie to two-year contract

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This article was published 08/09/2019 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Jets have re-signed one of their remaining restricted free agents — although it’s not one of the big names fans were likely hoping for.

High-scoring forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor remain without contracts with less than a week to go until training camp opens. Both are coming out of their entry-level deals and are due for significant raises.

With their matters yet to be resolved, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff took care of some other business Saturday by inking RFA goalie Eric Comrie to a new two-year pact.

Comrie is currently the third string netminder in the organization behind Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit. The 24-year-old will likely battle second-year pro Mikhail Berdin for the starter’s position on the farm with the Manitoba Moose, while providing depth for the Jets should an injury arise.

“I’m really happy. He’s an outstanding human being. Great guy around the room. And I am really excited for him,” Moose coach Pascal Vincent told Jets TV from Belleville, where he’s coaching the organizations prospects in this weekend’s Rookie Showcase tournament.

Comrie will make $700,000 if playing at the NHL level and will require waivers to be sent to the Moose, meaning another team could potentially claim him without having to give anything up.

His deal is a two-way contract this season, meaning he will make $200,000 if playing in the AHL, but a one-way contract for next year, meaning he makes the guaranteed $700,000 regardless of where he’s playing.

His current coach believes it’s only a matter of time before he sticks in the NHL.

“For him it might take a little bit longer. For goalies, when you’re called up you might as well be overprepared than just being called up and being sent down because things aren’t going well. Once he’s gonna have that real opportunity, I think he’s going to take it and run with it. For him it’s all about making sure that’s he ready to stay once he has that chance,” said Vincent.

Comrie had a 25-20-2 record with a 2.69 GAA and .917 SV% in 47 games with the Moose last year. He made one appearance with the Jets and has five career NHL games under his belt since being drafted in the second round second round (59th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Comrie holds several Moose franchise records including minutes played and saves. He’s also second all-time in wins with the AHL club,

Connor and Laine are now the two remaining RFAs left to be signed.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg