Marc-Andre Fleury is committing to the NHL for another year by signing a new deal with the Minnesota Wild before Thursday's season finale.
Marc-Andre Fleury will return to the NHL for another year.
The 39-year-old goaltender signed a one-year contract extension with the Minnesota Wild worth $2.5 million, the team announced Wednesday.
Minnesota has one more game to play, hosting the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, but it won't be Fleury's NHL playing career finale.
In 39 games this season, Fleury's recorded a 17-14-5 record with a 2.98 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. The three-time Stanley Cup champion reached multiple milestones this season, including becoming the fourth goaltender in NHL history to play 1,000 games and passing Patrick Roy for second place all-time in wins by a goalie.
'The Flower' took a 1B role this season with Filip Gustavsson getting 43 starts to Fleury's 39. Gustavsson's record is 20-18-4 with a 3.06 goals-against average and .895 save percentage. Both netminders will hope to bounce back with their team next season after sitting 10 points out of a playoff spot after Tuesday's games.
Fleury and Gustavsson are under contract through next season, which means prospect Jesper Wallstedt will likely return to AHL Iowa next season if the NHL tandem stays intact. The 21-year-old played his first three NHL games this season, posting a 2-1-0 record, a 3.01 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage. The 20th overall pick in 2021 has a 21-19-3 record in Iowa with a 2.76 GAA and .908 SP.
One more year gives Fleury a chance to continue to mentor his fellow goalies, help push the team to the next level and add on to his career totals. In 1,024 games played, the Sorel, Que., native has 561 wins, 329 losses, 94 overtime losses and two ties. He also won the Vezina Trophy in 2021 as the NHL's top netminder.
Here's Jacob Stoller with more reaction: