The Vegas Golden Knights traded goalie Marc-Andre Fleury unceremoniously to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
NHL expert Ken Campbell says he talked to Fleury’s agent Allan Walsh who confirmed that they found out about the trade via Twitter.
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“It’s inconceivable to me that a Golden Knights braintrust that includes Bill Foley and George McPhee would allow for something like that to happen. Mind-boggling, really,” said Campbell.
Walsh tweeted that “Marc-Andre will be taking time to discuss his situation with his family and seriously evaluate his hockey future at this time.”
That opens up a few possibilities for Fleury’s career:
1. He reports to Chicago
2. Retires
3. Does not report to Chicago
Campbell says he Fleury does choose to not report to the Blackhawks, The Penguins have to try to make a deal.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins have to make a bid to get him and entice him to come back home, don’t they?” asked Campbell.
It has also been speculated that Fleury will not report to Chicago, meaning the Blackhawks may be looking to move him in a trade.
Chicago will have to retain part of Fleury’s $7 million cap hit and would likely want some decent to good players.
What would need to be decided is what the Penguins would be willing to give up for Fleury and how much Chicago would want, along with how much money could they fit under the cap.
That could be a Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, John Marino, coveted prospect and/or a high draft pick, something Hextall is not known to be willing to give up.
Another big question is does current Penguins General Manager Ron Hextall even have any interest in trying to get Fleury?
While it is an unlikely shot, there is a path to bring Fleury back to the Burgh.
While he is 36-years-old, Fleury is still at the top of his game who recently won his first Vezina Trophy.