(St. Paul, Minn.) When Marc-André Fleury arrived at Minnesota Wild training camp to kick off his 20th NHL season, he wasn’t ready to say publicly — or even privately — that it would be his last.
You can’t blame Fleury for feeling a little more emotional this fall.
The three-time Stanley Cup winner—and two-time finalist—turns 39 on Nov. 28 and is in the final year of his contract. Fellow goaltender Filip Gustavsson just signed a three-year, $11.25 million contract, and prospect Jesper Wallstedt is awaiting a promotion after spending last season in the American League.
And then there’s his wife and three children — ages 4, 8 and 10 — who he’d like to spend more time with.
As Fleury pondered his future over the summer, he vowed to finish the season before making a decision in order to be fully present for the team, and to fulfill his role as best as possible. Ups and downs are a given in a sporting career, so there is no need to place too much importance on any one performance.
Fleury posted a 2.85 GAA last season, the fifth worst of his career. An indisputable starter a year ago, Fleury saw his playing time reduced with the emergence of Gustavsson, who arrived after an exchange with Ottawa. After using a true tandem until the end of the season, the Wild gave Gustavsson the net in five of six games in the first round of the playoffs, a loss to Dallas.
“I love playing with Gus. He’s a great guy, a great partner, very deserving, explained Fleury. We’ll see what the coach wants, but I like playing. It’s always fun, more fun than sitting around, but Gus also likes to play. So whatever the coach says, I will do my best to help the team, whether on the bench or in the nets. »
Coach Dean Evason, who spoke to reporters after Wednesday’s practice, declined to reveal the name of the starter for the first game. The Wild open their season at home against Florida on Thursday.
There’s no mistaking Fleury’s desire to be in the net more often, and that’s nothing against Gustavsson.
“I don’t see my partners as competitors. For me, the competition is with the other players, with the puck. This is where I have to win the battle. »
The first overall pick in the 2003 draft, who was acquired in a trade with Chicago at the 2022 trade deadline and signed with Minnesota that summer to a 2-year, $7 million pact, can also find motivation in the NHL record books. With eight more wins, Fleury will pass the legendary Patrick Roy (551) for second place on the all-time list. Martin Brodeur (691) is first in the ranking.
“I don’t want to bring bad luck. It would still be cool. He is an icon for me and for many children, added Fleury. He is such a great goalie that it would simply be an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as him. »