Marc-Andre Fleury will play with Blackhawks next season and could potentially re-sign too

Igor Burdetskiy July 31, 2021

1 1 minute read

For all of the drama, breathless media reports, and NHL trade rumors that former Vegas Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury would not report to the Chicago Blackhawks after last week’s trade, Fleury will indeed report to Chicago.

SOURCE:

Marc Andre Fleury is going to play.

That is what I have been told. Is it true…I think so. I hope so. pic.twitter.com/NHgMHxSzae

— Chief (@BarstoolChief) July 30, 2021

Fleury, 36, is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon sparked a public battle with Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh, by trading Fleury to Chicago. Walsh accused McCrimmon of not informing Fleury of the trade and Tweeted well after the trade was public knowledge that no one had yet called Fleury.

Such disrespect to an important veteran is a no-no in hockey.

However, McCrimmon later claimed in his press conference that he kept Fleury and Walsh in the loop about every team which inquired, including Chicago.

Fleury will be the unquestioned starter with the Chicago Blackhawks, unlike Vegas, where he was in a platoon situation with Robin Lehner. Chicago made a major push this offseason by picking up defenseman Seth Jones and forward Tyler Johnson on the NHL trade market. They also signed free agents Jake McCabe and Jujhar Khaira.

Chicago, which hired an independent investigator to investigate accusations the organization covered up sexual harassment and assault by a video coach nearly a decade ago, was also able to trade defensemen Duncan Keith and Nikita Zadarov to clear salary-cap space. However, the team is still about $1.4 million over the cap, according to PuckPedia.com.

With Fleury in goal and Jones on the blue line, the Blackhawks have a radically different look and personality from recent seasons.

Fleury has one season remaining on his contract, which carries a $7 million AAV. Kevin Lankinen is the backup.

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!