In a trade every bit as stunning as it was unexpected, the Vegas Golden Knights rather unceremoniously parted ways with Vezina Trophy winning goalie and franchise icon Marc-Andre Fleury, trading him to Chicago today for minor-league forward Mikael Hakkarainen.
Apparently “Flower” found out about the trade through Twitter. So much for being the face of the franchise.
The third-winningest goalie of all-time, Fleury enjoyed a season for the ages with the Golden Knights in 2020-21. Wresting the starting job back from Robin Lehner (ironically acquired from Chicago), the Sorel, Quebec native posted a microscopic 1.98 goals against average to go with a .928 save percentage and six shutouts. However, the 36-year-old fan favorite also experienced a crushing low, turning the puck over near his net in the closing moments of Game Three of the Conference Finals. A ghastly giveaway that led directly to a game-tying goal and a Montreal victory. Arguably the turning point of the series. Although Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman was obviously ecstatic, Fleury…no doubt stung and ambushed by the trade…sounded less than enthusiastic.
“I haven’t given much thought to the future, but it’s always been in my heart to stick around and finish up here (Vegas),” he said.
Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh, said his client, who has one year remaining on a deal that pays him $7 million, might consider retiring.
“While Marc-Andre Fleury still hasn’t heard from anybody with the Vegas Golden Knights, he has apparently been traded to Chicago,” Walsh tweeted. “Marc-Andre will be taking time to discuss his situation with his family and seriously evaluate his hockey future at this time.”
Is it possible Fleury and Walsh might play hardball and use the retirement chip to force Bowman into dealing “Flower” to a more welcome locale? Say…one near three rivers?
Stay tuned…
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