Marc-Andre Fleury Comments on Ongoing Trade Rumors
All Marc-Andre Fleury is focused on right now is getting the Chicago Blackhawks into the Stanley Cup playoffs. The trade buzz is running rampant as we creep closer to the late March deadline. The Blackhawks are a long shot to get into the postseason and will need a magical run to gain ground on other teams in the western conference.
Fleury recently spoke to Tracey Myers of NHL.com and touched on the trade speculation as the veteran is in the final season of his current contract:
All I want is to have this team make the (Stanley Cup) Playoffs. Honestly, that's what's in my head right now. To me, it's not worth looking too far ahead. I just want to put this team in a good position to make the playoffs, and that's my goal. We've been winning some games, so I think it's not just me. As a team in general, we've been playing well, giving ourselves a chance to win every night. I think guys are playing well in front of me, too, which makes my job easier. I feel good.
Chicago is starting to play better of late, winning four of their last five games. Fleury has been steady throughout the entire season, posting a .915 save %. He has trade protection against 10 teams and it will be curious to see which playoff bound teams have the cap space to add his $7-million annual salary under their cap. If the veteran netminder ends up being moved it's likely to come right down to deadline day.
Congrats to Marc-Andre Fleury on being named @NHL 2nd Star of the Week. 3-0-0, allowing 4 goals, stopping 88 of 92 shots for a .956 SV%. #Flower🌸 ⭐️⭐️ https://t.co/Mj711HzzWd
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) January 17, 2022
The Blackhawks head into the weekend sitting eight points out of the final playoff spot in the west with five teams to leap frog. Fleury could be moved, and so could many other of his teammates for that matter. Keep an eye on things in Chicago over these next couple of weeks. If the team can't keep up with their recent success, trade winds will be blowing in the Windy City.
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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