Winnipeg Jets
· 2026-07-02
The Winnipeg Jets will have a new backup goaltender next season after fan favourite Eric Comrie departed in free agency, signing a two-year contract worth $2.3 million with the San Jose Sharks.
Comrie played an important role for Winnipeg during the 2025-26 campaign, stepping into a much larger workload while star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck missed time.
The 30-year-old appeared in a career-high 25 games, posting a 12-11-1 record along with a 3.13 goals-against average and .890 save percentage.
His departure marks the end of another chapter with the franchise that originally selected him in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft.
As of July 2, 2026, the Winnipeg Jets are 12th in the Western Conference with a 35-35 record, on a L4 streak.
The Jets will need to find a new backup goaltender to support Connor Hellebuyck.
The San Jose Sharks also acquired veteran defenseman Darnell Nurse from the Edmonton Oilers and signed defenseman Jacob Trouba to a four-year, $33 million contract.
These significant additions indicate the Sharks' intention to take a major step forward in the 2026-27 NHL season.
The Winnipeg Jets will face tough competition in the Western Conference, and their current standing reflects the need for strategic moves to improve their lineup.
And with several key players on the move, the Jets' management will be busy in the off-season, trying to bolster their roster.
But for now, the focus is on finding a suitable replacement for Eric Comrie, who will be deeply missed by the Jets' fans.
So the search begins, and the Jets' management will have to act quickly to secure a reliable backup goaltender.