NHL insider provides major update on Marc Andre Fleury trade

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Liam McCormick
February 28, 2024 (1:32 PM)

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Heading into this trade deadline, many contending teams looking for goaltending have been checking in on the legendary Marc Andre Fleury. In his age 38 season, likely the last year of his career, Fleury is battling to make the playoffs with the Minnesota Wild, and according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, he's going to stay there.

Fleury has made the playoffs for 17 straight seasons, and it looks like he's going to threaten that streak in the final year of his career to battle it out with his teammates in Minnesota. Fleury owns a full no trade clause on his contract, and he's informed the Wild that he's not interested in moving this year.

Fleury would've been a prime fit for Edmonton if he was amenable to the move, and the Oilers decided to add goaltending at the deadline. In recent weeks as the Oilers team goaltending has taken a significant dip, many fans and analysts are clamouring for the team to acquire a quality tandem goalie for Stuart Skinner. Especially considering another goalie as insurance so the Oilers aren't forced to start Pickard or Campbell in a meaningful game due to an injury, trading for a goalie would clearly have benefits for the team.

In a recent interview, Fleury himself proclaimed he has no intention on leaving his teammates in Minnesota.

»If we were last in the conference, maybe it'd be a little bit different," Fleury said. "But this is my team. We've been battling together, right? I take pride in winning with this team. I want us to make the playoffs. That's my first priority. I think being in the hunt, it's fun, it's challenging. And I want to be here and see this team make the playoffs."

It's admirable to see the veteran decide to go down with his teammates in the last season of his career, even if he would have a shot elsewhere at another Stanley Cup. However with two Stanley Cups to his name already, and as one of the few goalies to play 1000 games, Fleury doesn't need to prove anything to anyone - he's a guaranteed Hall of Famer.