Marc-Andre Fleury has made a full return from his upper-body injury that kept him out for four straight games.
ST. PAUL - Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was on the ice today at practice and has made a full return from his upper-body injury that kept him out for four straight games.
Fleury, 39, practiced for the Wild during their pre-game skate in the morning of January 27th but today he was on the ice for a full team practice, this time at 100 percent.
He has passed his final concussion test and is ready to go. Fleury suffered his concussion on January 19th in Florida against the Panthers. William Lockwood, who ran into Fleury, was suspended by the NHL for three games after his hit on Fleury.
“You always think you’ll be fine. You think, ‘Shake it off. It’s OK, it’s OK.’ But then you start feeling not so good," Fleury said to the media today after practice about his concussion and how he played a bit after he got hit but later removed himself. "It gets frustrating because I know the process. I know how long it can be sometimes. Well, you never know. Like sometimes, a week you’re good and sometimes it’s many weeks. Obviously, I’ve got to feel ready.”
Wild head coach John Hynes confirmed that Fleury is back to 100 percent and will be ready to start when needed. The Wild will honor Fleury before Friday’s game against the Penguins at home for passing Patrick Roy for the NHL’s second-most wins but also recently playing in his 1,000th game.