When it was announced on Tuesday that
Marc-Andre Fleury had been traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, word quickly came that the reigning Vezina trophy winner might retire instead of continuing his career anywhere but with the Vegas Golden Knights. Following that, there were cries from many fans of a return to Pittsburgh, where Fleury began his career and won three Stanley Cups, to at least finish off the year left on his current contract. According to one reporter, that's not going to happen.
"...a source told the Post-Gazette on Tuesday evening that the Penguins are not looking to reacquire Fleury...and that he is not part of their plans with free agency set to begin Wednesday at noon," said reporter Matt Vensel.
"The Penguins are still interested in upgrading the goaltending position after
Tristan Jarry struggled mightily in their first-round playoff loss to the New York Islanders."
It wouldn't be all that difficult to swing a trade to get Fleury back to the Penguins as the Blackhawks gave up very little to get him. However, it just doesn't appear to be in the cards. It would have been nice, as Fleury left Pittsburgh under similar circumstances, with then GM Jim Rutherford giving the Vegas Golden Nights a second round pick to ensure they took Fleury so the Pens could have more cap space. He was a fan favourite there like he was in Vegas.
"Penguins fans and sports talk radio hosts will surely keep debating whether bringing back Fleury would be Pittsburgh's best option after he went 26-10-6 in 2021 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .928 save percentage to win his first Vezina," said Vensel.
"But on the eve of free agency, the new front office had already made its mind up."
Source:
Post GazetteRELATED:
ROBIN LEHNER DELIVERS STERN MESSAGE TO ANYONE ATTACKING HIM FOR MARC-ANDRE FLEURY'S TRADESOURCE REVEALS HOW FLEURY FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD BEEN TRADED; HE COULD ELECT TO RETIREMARC-ANDRE FLEURY MAKES HIS FIRST OFFICIAL STATEMENT SINCE TRADE TO CHICAGOADS
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