The Sabres identified Comrie as their top target at the position in free agency. Their pro scouts, analytics department, and goalie coaches were aligned in their evaluation of the goaltender, who they deemed ready to take the next step after years of backing up a Vezina Trophy winner in Connor Hellebuyck.
Comrie was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets one year after Hellebuyck in 2013. He spent the majority of four seasons with AHL Manitoba from 2015 to 2019, a stretch in which he played five NHL games.
Then came the 2019-20 season, when he was selected off waivers by Arizona. He played a handful of contests for AHL Tucson before Arizona traded him to Detroit. After three games with the Red Wings, the Jets claimed him off waivers and sent him back to Manitoba.
The pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season brought more movement. Comrie was claimed off waivers by New Jersey, this time starting one game - a 30-save victory in Buffalo - before he was reclaimed by Winnipeg. He spent the rest of the year on the club's taxi squad.
There were times, he admits, when it became tough. His love for the game kept him going.
"Where am I having the most fun?" he recalled asking himself. "I'm having the most fun of the rink and having the most fun with the guys at the rink, skating, playing games. That was when I was truly myself in my truest form. And I just felt like that was the best way to keep me moving. I loved it."
Comrie's passion for practice was a topic of conversation when Sabres coach Don Granato spoke with those who knew the goaltender, including one other NHL head coach and a former teammate. The coach told Granato he would have to kick Comrie off the ice.
"So, he's a hockey guy, he's a rink rat, hockey is his passion," Granato said. "He now has experience. So, there's two good things in the formula. He's willing to put that work in, he's got a lot of hindsight by virtue of playing and he's had to fight through some adversity."
Comrie credits that 2020-21 season on the taxi squad taking his game to new heights. While he never did play a game for the Jets, the stability of being in one place helped him focus on his craft.
The games came last season, when Comrie served as the primary backup to Hellebuyck for the first time. He posted a .920 save percentage, sixth in the NHL among goalies with at least 15 games played. His 8.78 goals saved above average at 5-on-5 ranked 11th in the league, according to Natural Stat Trick.
When Comrie wasn't playing, he stayed sharp with his meticulous practice habits. That extended to the video room, where he broke down games played by Hellebuyck with the Jets' goalie coach.
"The more I work, the more effort I put into it, the more preparation I put into things, the more confidence I build because of that," Comrie said. "So, I'm going to make sure that I keep doing what I have to do to have my confidence for the games and make sure that I go through my practice and my preparation very seriously."
Comrie will have every chance to earn more starts with the Sabres, with a veteran partner to learn from in Craig Anderson. His conversations with general manager Kevyn Adams painted a picture of a culture in which everything will be earned.
"I think the culture and understanding that process was a major factor in me deciding to come here," he said. "I'm just super excited that I was given that opportunity."
