Winnipeg Jets place goalie on waivers

This off-season, the Winnipeg Jets needed to replace their backup role as Laurent Brossoit left for greener pastures, and throughout the pre-season, it was Kaapo Kahkonen and Eric Comrie fighting for the backup role. With Connor Hellebuyck missing time just before the regular season began, it made sense for the team to carry three net minders, but after the Vezina Trophy winners return in the opener against Edmonton, the team needed to make a move.

Now on Thursday, the surprise announcement has been revealed, with Kahkonen, not Comrie placed on waivers, much to the surprise of many in Winnipeg who believed that the 28-year old had won the backup role.

With the season already underway, the chances that Kahkonen clears waivers are much higher than they were if he were placed there several days ago as the team desperately want to keep him in the organization in case of an injury. Coming into 2024/25, the Jets Stanley Cup Playoffs hopes were already being criticized, but if they lose Kahkonen on waivers and suffer an injury, this could be a disastrous outcome for the team.

While it was a surprise move to go with Comrie as the backup, it appears that money was a motivating factor, as his slightly lower salary gives the team a little more flexibility, and with a higher salary, the hope is potentially that a team will avoid claiming Kahkonen because of this.

At this point in time, it's very tough to tell if an opposing team will take the chance on Kahkonen, as he has shown the ability to be a top tier backup in the NHL, and with question marks over Comrie in the league, this is the hope for Winnipeg. After a brutal 6-0 defeat of the Oilers in the season opener, they've started just the way they wanted as they look for a deep run in the postseason, but ultimately whatever happens here with Kahkonen could greatly effect how this season plays out in Winnipeg.