ST. PAUL, Minn. – Marc-André Fleury is not closing the door on a return to the Minnesota Wild next season.
The 37-year-old goaltender is in the final season of the three-year, $21 million contract he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 13, 2018, and could become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the campaign. Fleury was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks by the Wild at the trade deadline for a conditional first-round pick in the 2022 draft.
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“I really had a good time, I loved my time [au Minnesota] “Launched Fleury on Monday. They really made this place an attractive place to play. [Je considérerais] definitely a return here.
“I’m delighted to have come here and had the opportunity to play with this team. Really good locker room, the chemistry between the guys, the staff and the coaches is great. […] And even the people of the city, when I went to the restaurant or elsewhere, everyone was welcoming and kind. They love the game and they love their hockey to put on a good show, so it was nice to be able to experience that. »
In 11 starts with the Wild, the Quebecer posted a 9-2-0 record with a 2.74 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. In the playoffs, he posted a 3.04 ERA and .906 save percentage in the first five games of the series against the St. Louis Blues in the first round, posting two wins. Cam Talbot replaced him for Game 6, which ended up being the Wild’s last of the season after a 5-1 loss.
For Fleury, chances of success and family will be the two main factors that will determine where he plays next season.
« [Je veux] win matches. I’ve noticed this season that it’s hard not being able to win consistently, so I think that’s a big factor. And then there is my family. I want us to be in a safe place where we can enjoy life.
“We will return to Montreal for the summer, but I have the impression that time flies. The free agent market will open in two months, so we’ll make some decisions and see what’s best for me and my family. »
Talbot was the Wild’s number one goaltender prior to Fleury’s arrival. He finished the season undefeated in regulation in his last 16 games (13-0-3). However, before Game 1, coach Dean Evason said it was an “easy decision” to send Fleury into the fray for the start of the series.
“I was obviously disappointed not to play more in the playoffs, but who wouldn’t? Talbot said. We are competitors. We want to play. Like I said the other day, was I disappointed? Of course. Probably a little angry. But the coaches had a decision to make and I don’t think there was a bad decision that could be made.
“You make a trade to get a guy like (Fleury) who has history and experience, why don’t you put him in goal for Game 1? I wanted to play, but I understood their decision and what they were basing it on. »
Fleury is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017) and helped the Golden Knights reach the Finals in their inaugural season in 2018. His 92 playoff wins are good for third overall in history behind Patrick Roy (151) and Martin Brodeur (113).
He became the third goaltender in history to reach 500 career wins when he shut out the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 at the Bell Center on Dec. 9 with the Blackhawks. His 520 regular season wins also place him third behind Brodeur (691) and Roy (551).