Seattle Kraken: Tri-City Americans alumni who could come back to the PNW
Eric Comrie, Winnipeg Jets.
Chris Driedger, G, Florida Panthers
Chris Driedger was a third-round draft choice of the Senators in 2012. He completed his WHL career with eight regular-season shutouts and a trip to the 2011-12 Top Prospects Game. Since then, Driedger has kicked around various organizations as a third goalie.
From 2014-2016 he made three relief appearances for Ottawa. It wasn’t until November 30, 2019, as part of the Florida Panthers, that he made his first NHL career start. Driedger saved all 27 shots in a 3-0 shutout victory over Nashville. That performance was part of an outstanding rookie campaign for Florida. He started 11 games, won 7, and had a stingy 2.06 Goals Against Average (GAA) with a .938 Save Percentage (SV%).
Eric Comrie, G, Winnipeg Jets
Eric Comrie is another in a long line of potential NHL goalies with an abundance of talent but could never seize their opportunity. Selected by Winnipeg in 2013 (2nd round, 59th overall), he was part of a very deep Jets goaltending group. When the position was finally whittled down, Connor Hellebuyck beat out Comrie in 2015, and their careers have gone in opposite directions ever since.
After jumping around to the Coyotes and Red Wings, he returned to the Winnipeg organization in 2019. So far, Comrie has only played eight NHL games with a .868 SV%.
Assistant coaching candidate – Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals
Olaf Kolzig played almost the entirety of his 14 NHL seasons with the Capitals. He won both a Vezina Trophy (1999-2000) and King Clancy Trophy (2005-06) during his career. After his playing days ended, Kolzig transitioned to coaching.
He is currently one of the most respected goalie coaches in the league. It would be a significant coup for the Seattle Kraken to lure him back to the Pacific Northwest.
Everybody loves Olie the Goalie.