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Buffalo Sabres: The goaltender situation is better than you think

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 23, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes a save during the first period against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes a save during the first period against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres
Mar 31, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) goes to make a save against Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Comrie brings optimism

Besides his stellar record and performances last season, Comrie brings optimism in other ways. Look at the goaltending situation last year where Anderson and Dustin Tokarski were the best options. You knew neither were long-term fixtures, but Comrie can man the net for an extended period.

Let’s assume the worst for a second, and suppose neither Devon Levi nor Erik Portillo sign. Anderson retires and Luukkonen cannot stay healthy nor consistent. Comrie could, at the very least, be The Guy in the net if the Sabres need him there. His numbers last season show he is at least capable of doing so. But you may ask: If he is so good, why did he never start?

The answer is that the Winnipeg Jets already had an established goaltender in Connor Hellebuyck, who has a Vezina Trophy to his name, plus regular contention for the Hart Trophy. Hellebuyck’s presence kept Comrie in a backup role given the former’s career accolades and consistency. The Jets had no reason to invoke a goaltender controversy no matter how well Comrie played.

Despite Comrie’s small sample size, he does bring plenty of experience given his time in the AHL. He has seen time in the NHL’s minor league since 2013-14, and has appeared in 207 total games, telling me that Comrie’s small yet intriguing sample size last season indicates he is ready to take on an expanded role. It just wasn’t going to happen in Winnipeg because the Jets didn’t need to replace Hellebuyck.

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