Goaltending is always a hot commodity in the NHL, and as the trade deadline approaches, Minnesota Wild veteran Marc-Andre Fleury could be in demand for a team looking to shore up its crease.
The legendary veteran is nearing the tail end of his storied NHL career, but the three-time Stanley Cup champion could have a push for one last ring in him if the Wild choose to move him.
Minnesota has gone 7-2-1 in its last 10 games, and still finds itself two spots out of the Western Conference Wild Card picture as teams like Nashville and Calgary have been hot as well.
The Wild sit four points behind the Predators with a game in hand, but even if they were to beat out Nashville, they'd also have to top a few other teams that are in the mix as well.
With that in mind, it could make a lot of sense for the Wild to join the seller side of things ahead of March 8's NHL Trade Deadline. Fleury's fate is entirely up to himself, as he has a no-movement clause in his contract.
He has stated that it is his preference to remain in Minnesota, but that stance could always soften if the right situation presents itself. But if that's not the case, teams will have to look elsewhere for help in goal.
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NHL Trade Deadline: Marc-Andre Fleury
Contract Situation: Expiring after this season at a $3.5 million cap hit.
Season Stats: 12-10-3 with a .899 SV% and 2.92 GAA
Possible Destinations: Carolina, Colorado, Edmonton
If Fleury is going to be convinced to move his no-movement clause, it would have to be to go to a situation where the chances at winning the Stanley Cup are high.
The 39-year-old would likely be targeted as an insurance policy more than as a solution to start games in the playoffs.
Those two criteria really narrow down the list of destinations Fleury would even consider down to Carolina, Colorado, and Edmonton. Those teams have decent options in place right now in Pyotr Kochetkov, Alexandar Georgiev, and Stuart Skinner respectively, but all are an injury away from having to start a sub-optimal candidate in the playoffs, and none of those three guys have long track records of succeeding in the postseason.
So the opportunity to get a ring and the lowered pressure of not having to be relied upon exist almost exclusively in those three spots.
Fleury has won a ring as a starter (2009) and two as a back-up (2016 and 2017). All three of those came with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the latter two he was behind youngster Matt Murray who emerged out of nowhere at the time to deliver two fantastic postseason runs.
Fleury was absolutely a starting level goaltender then, and he's just below the cusp of being that now.
If teams are looking for someone who they can trust to give them solid goaltending and be ready to go if needed in the playoffs, and if Fleury is willing to make the jump away from Minnesota, a trade could come together quickly that could be very beneficial for Fleury and the acquiring team.
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