Marc-Andre Fleury reveals which team he'd want to play for next year
Now years old, Marc-Andre Fleury is very much near the end of his 1000+ game career, but in a recent interview he revealed he'd be willing to return to one team next year.
Fleury has gone on the record saying that if he does not retire this offseason, he would only consider returning to the Minnesota Wild to play in the NHL.
q>"Yeah, it's probably Minnesota or retirement. I wouldn't want to move and take my three kids out of their environment. They've moved enough already. I don't want to uproot them. My girls have their school, their friends and their sports in Minnesota. And my wife, Veronique, is also happy here."
-Marc Andre Fleury
It's clear that if the Minnesota Wild don't tender Fleury a contract this offseason, retirement will be his decision. There's a strong possibility the Wild don't make an offer to Fleury too, considering they have two much younger, rising goaltenders in Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt.
In his third season with the Wild, Fleury's now just begun to see his play noticeably decline, but he's still a serviceable goaltender. In 36 games this season, he's posting a 2.85 GAA and .899 save percentage. If the Wild miss the playoffs this year, which is looking likely, it will be the first time in 17 years. He's owed $3.5M until the end of this season when he will become a free agent.
Fleury's career may honestly come to an end after this season. It's hard to imagine they'd bring him back in his age 40 season and put the development of their future goaltending behind the last year of Fleury. As it stands now anyway, Fleury is a clear first ballot hall of famer and one of the best goalies in NHL history. He's only the third, and likely the last goalie to play 1000 games, along with three Stanley Cups, 560 career wins, and a Vezina Trophy in 2020.
Do you think Marc Andre Fleury will retire or return for one more season with the Minnesota Wild? Vote in the poll below!
| POLL | ||
Will Marc Andre Fleury retire or return for one more season? | ||
| Retire, Minnesota won't sign him | 92 | 37.9 % |
| Return, Minnesota will sign him | 134 | 55.1 % |
| See Results | 17 | 7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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