Marc-Andre Fleury Wants To Stay with Wild, Likely Ending Chances of Penguins Reunion
Marc-Andre Fleury squashed trade rumors with the Pittsburgh Penguins before they could really begin.
The idea of a reunion between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Marc-Andre Fleury was shot down about as quickly as it was brought up.
While the Penguins may be in need of a new situation between the pipes, it doesn’t seem Fleury will be a part of that.
When the Minnesota Wild lost their first round series to the Dallas Stars, Fleury indicated that the 2023-24 season will likely be his last in the NHL.
Ever since Fleury left Pittsburgh in 2017, the thought of a return has always been on fans minds, and hearing that he’s coming up on his final year, it spurred legitimate discussions about the possibility.
During his exit interview, however, Fleury said he would like to stay in Minnesota no matter the role he is given.
Even if he is relegated to backing up 24-year-old Filip Gustavsson, Fleury wants to help the team win and keep his family in one place for a little bit.
“I’m tired of moving, not going anywhere,” Fleury said. “I love Gus. Obviously I love playing, too. Get out there, have some fun, and win games.”
Fleury has one year left on his contract and the deal features a full no-move clause; any trade the Wild wish to pull off would need Fleury’s permission.
Even if it was back to Pittsburgh, Fleury doesn’t seem willing to make another move in his playing career.
“I don’t want to keep moving the kids around.”
No matter where he plays next season, Fleury is closing in on a pair of huge milestone for the goalie position.
Fleury sits eight wins back of Patrick Roy for second most all-time and 15 games shy of 1,000 games played in the NHL.
Even as a backup, those are achievable numbers and Fleury is likely to hit those in the very near future.
Fleury grew up idolizing Roy and said that he’s always tried to emulate his game after the Hall of Famer.
“One of the guys I grew up watching,” Feury said. “I loved watching him and tried to play like him. Just to be so close to him is very surreal.”
2023-24 will be a huge season for Fleury, even if he stays in Minnesota in his backup goalie role.
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