The Winnipeg Jets filled a void between the pipes with the return of Eric Comrie to the organization and the addition of Kaapo Kahkanen, who finished this past season with New Jersey after previous stops with San Jose and Minnesota.
And Winnipeg retained some experience on the blue line late in the day by re-signing veteran defenseman Colin Miller to a two year deal with an average annual value of US$1.5 million.
Miller played just 5 games for the Jets after being acquired in a trading deadline deal with New Jersey and also suited up for the fifth and final game of Winnipeg’s first round playoff loss to Colorado.
The 31 year old native of Sault Ste. Marie has played 512 NHL games for six different teams entering his 12th season as a pro.
Comrie’s deal is for two years with an AAV of US$825,000 per season while Kahoknen has signed for one year at US$1 million.
Winnipeg now has 20 players signed for the coming season with just over US$8.6 million remaining in cap space. The Jets have also made qualifying offers to restricted free agent forwards Cole Perfetti and David Gustafsson along with defensemen Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola, and Simon Lundmark.
Kahkonen’s only two career starts versus Winnipeg came as a member of the Wild, and then in a Shark uniform. Both were shutout defeats at Canada Life Centre.
The 27 year old Helsinki native made 27 saves in a Minnesota 2-0 loss to the Jets on February 8/22 and 38 saves last season when the Sharks were shutout 1-0 by Winnipeg on February 14/24. Kahkonen’s potential new goaltending partner, Connor Hellebuyck, made a combined 44 saves in those two games to record both shutouts.
Comrie, who left Winnipeg two years to sign as an unrestricted free agent with Buffalo, told reporters assembled in the Matt Frost Media Centre of the Jets home rink it was his understanding he was re-joining the team in the backup role when advised GM Kevin Cheveldayoff might not be finished in bolstering the team at the goaltending position. “That’s what I thought. I mean, I’m really hoping so,” was Comrie’s responnse. “Obviously you gotta go to camp and earn a job and try and secure that position.”
“I love Winnipeg. I’ve always been a big fan. I’ve always wanted to be there,” said Comrie who confirmed Mark Scheifele was first in line with welcome back texts. “It’s unfortunate my last contract didn’t work out there and I went to Buffalo.”
The puckstopper, who turns 29 in just a few days (July 6), played in only 29 games for the Sabres the past two seasons and did not enjoy much success with a 3.68 goals-against average and .882 saves percentage while compiling a record of 11-16-1.
Comrie says his first season was actually going pretty well until injuries took their toll on the Sabres lineup. “I tear my MCL and I miss a good three months there and that’s what kind of set everything back,” said the Jets 2013 second round draft pick. “I had a really good camp this year, I played really in the first game and then unfortunately I get injured (groin) in my second or third game and that was kind of it for two or three weeks.”
Comrie’s best NHL season to date was in 2022-23 when he went 10-5-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .920 saves percentage in 19 appearances as a backup to Connor Hellebuyck. “I think myself and him get along really well and he’s the best in the world – so it’s amazing to learn from him and watch him every single game,” said Comrie who also gave credit to longtime Jets Goaltending Coach Wade Flaherty.
The re-acquisition of Comrie and the further addition of Kahkonen was necessitated by the departure of Laurent Brossoit who signed a two-year deal with Chicago for a total of US$6.6 million.
The Jets came up short in trying to re-sign Sean Monahan as the veteran centre agreed to a five-year deal with Columbus that carries an annual average value of US$5.5 million.
Winnipeg was reportedly in the running for Monahan right up until the last minute. In 34 games with the Jets last season following a Feb. 2, 2024, trade with Montreal, the 29-year-old native of Brampton, Ont., scored 11 goals and added 13 assists for 24 points.
Veteran Defenseman Brenden Dillon has found a new home after agreeing to a three year deal with the New Jersey Devils that will pay him $US4M per season.
Tyler Toffoli, who had 7-4-11 in 18 games for Winnipeg after being acquired from New Jersey at the deadline, has signed a four-year deal for a total of US$24 million with San Jose.
The NHL also announced Winnipeg’s 2024-25 season opener is set for October 9 in Edmonton and Winnipeg’s home opener will be played two nights later on Friday, Oct. 11 versus Brossoit, Connor Bedard, and the Chicago Blackhawks.