Red Wings Lose G Eric Comrie To His Former Team

Comrie
Photo credit © James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

After three games and two starts, the Eric Comrie experiment is over for the Red Wings. 

Detroit waived the netminder on Wednesday with Jimmy Howard nearing a return. Comrie's former team, the Jets, claimed him on Thursday before the Wings could send him to Grand Rapids.

"We knew that was part of the potential risk of it," Jeff Bashill said. 

TRANSACTION: The Winnipeg Jets have claimed G - Eric Comrie off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings. #NHLJets

— Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) December 19, 2019

Detroit acquired Comrie, a second-round pick of the Jets in 2013, in a trade with the Coyotes last month. He posted an .864 save percentage and a 4.28 goals against average in three appearances in front of the Wings' porous defense. His last appearance came in a 4-2 loss to the Kings. 

Asked if they wish they could have given Comrie a longer look, Blashill said, "At the end of the day, we made the decision with our eyes wide open. We were able to see him play a couple games, we were able to see him in practice. We knew it was a potential (that he'd get claimed). We said we were okay with that risk, and so be it." 

Howard, who has been out since late November with a groin injury, will get a second rehab start Friday night with Grand Rapids. Blashill said the plan is for Howard to start for the Wings Sunday night against the Coyotes. 

Goaltending has been an issue for Detroit all season long. The leading duo of Howard and Jonathan Bernier has produced a save percentage of .893.