NHL
The biggest storyline during the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft was the selection of Marc-Andre Fleury. As the highest-profile selection and no obvious choice for captain, Fleury became the face of the franchise during the inaugural season. Today, the Golden Knights offered Fleury a three-year extension worth $21 million.
Fleury’s new contract goes into effect in 2019-20 and carries a cap hit of $7 million per year. With a year left on his contract, he will remain with the Golden Knights for four more years. The organization is undeniably happy about Fleury staying in Vegas.
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FLEURY
HAS
SOME
REALLY
BIG
NEWS
❗️#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/JXRllYGcvo
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 13, 2018
A New Journey
Marc-Andre Fleury was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003. With 404 wins in his 737-game career, Fleury has a 2.56 GAA and .913 save percentage overall. Until Matt Murray joined the team in 2015, it was believed that Fleury would spend his career as Pittsburgh’s starting goaltender.
Vegas became Fleury’s new home and he’s never seemed less than thrilled to be a part of the new franchise.
“This organization gave me a chance to play. To do what I love to do,” Fleury said in a press conference this afternoon.
He suffered a concussion mid-October, which led to him playing 46 games in the 2017-18 season. Regardless, he posted a respectable 2.24 GAA and .924 save percentage. Fleury was able to help the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Finals in the team’s first season.
Too Much Too Soon?
The extension isn’t without critique, however. Fleury and the Golden Knights organization may be thrilled, but there is some worry regarding the timing of the contract.
I mean, I'm happy for MAF but this is big money at his age. I hope he maintains his crazy playoffs level going forward despite all the reasons that I know he won't. https://t.co/HLjpqtjMvM
— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) July 13, 2018
There’s concern that the 33-year-old goaltender may not be able to keep up his regular and postseason numbers. It is possible that his ability starts to decline, but it’s not a sure thing. Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo is six years older than Fleury and had a .929 save percentage during 2017-18. Betting on Fleury for another four years seems like a solid move for a team with a deep spending pool.
