Marc-Andre Fleury traded to Minnesota Wild by Chicago Blackhawks

Marc-Andre Fleury traded to Minnesota Wild by Chicago Blackhawks

Marc-Andre Fleury

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was traded to the Minnesota Wild by the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. This deal is a conditional first-round pick in the 2022 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft.

The 37-year-old goalie, who is in the final season of a three-year, $21 million contract he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2018, can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

“I think just the chance to get in the playoffs, to battle to get there, to battle to go in,” Fleury told TSN of the Wild. “That’s why we all play in the end. It’s something also with Minny, there’s also my family, which is going to stay in Chicago, Minny isn’t too far away. Obviously, they have a great team, they’re very solid defensively, they have a lot of big guys and they play well. Good opportunity for me and hopefully things work out.”

“Minnesota was a very favourable location for Fleury”

Blackhawks' General Manager Kyle Davidson
Blackhawks’ General Manager Kyle Davidson

Fleury is 19-21-5 with a 2.95 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 45 games in his maiden season with the Blackhawks. The Sorel-Tracy was acquired in a trade with the Golden Knights earlier on July 27, 2021.

“Yeah, they certainly played well,” Fleury said. “We took the lead there in the series and they came back and tied it upright. I think that says a lot about their character in the room, and yeah. You can keep pushing for that.”

Talking about this contract, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, who worked closely with Fleury and his agent, traded him where he wanted to finish the season.

“Minnesota was a very favourable location for him, so I’m glad we could work out something that worked for the Wild and Marc and also the Blackhawks,” Davidson stated. “I think it worked out for all parties.”

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