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Buffalo Sabres: Eric Comrie making his case to stay in 2023-24

By Sion Fawkes

Mar 9, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie (31) makes a save during the first period against the Dallas Stars at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie (31) makes a save during the first period against the Dallas Stars at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres have seen marginal play from Eric Comrie this season, but he’s put together solid performances in back-to-back appearances. 

What can you say about Buffalo Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie? The 27-year-old came to the Queen City following a solid stint last season as the Winnipeg Jets backup goaltender, posting a stellar 0.920 save percentage and a 2.58 GAA.

But his time so far in Buffalo has been a polar opposite. Sure, you can pin some of the blame on bad defense, but when you have a GAA of 3.67 and a save percentage of 0.886, clearly, poor defense isn’t the only culprit.

Whether bad defensive play or pedestrian goaltending should shoulder more blame is debatable. But we have seen that, with better defense overall in the past three games, including a stellar effort last Saturday night, Comrie is busy making a case to be here in 2023-24.

Don’t count out Buffalo Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie just yet

Over his past two contests, one against New York and the other against the Montreal Canadiens, Comrie has saved 64 of 67 shot attempts, good for a 0.955 save percentage and a 1.5 GAA. The two outings have been among Comrie’s best, with perhaps his epic night in Edmonton serving as his only other solid performance.

And just as we shouldn’t judge prospect Lukas Rousek’s future based on one productive night, it’s also premature to judge Comrie’s previous two games. Are they outliers, or is Comrie getting it together late?

However, it’s also worth noting that in three of his previous four games, with the 10-goal meltdown vs. Dallas being the odd-game-out, Comrie has posted a 0.917 save percentage or higher. With just nine games remaining in the regular season, expect between three and four starts for Comrie, and if he enjoys consistent outings, don’t be surprised if Buffalo hangs onto him next season.

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While there is no doubt general manager Kevyn Adams could seek a replacement and ship Comrie elsewhere, or to Rochester, the journeyman goaltender is making his case to stick around. Let’s see if he can do it.

Source: Observations: Lukas Rousek gets first NHL goal as Thompson-less Sabres fall to Habs in shootout by Mike Harrington, BuffaloNews.com

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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