After minding the pipes in Pittsburgh for nearly a decade, Marc-Andre Fleury found himself riding the pine come playoff time as rookie goalie Matt Murray led the organization to a Stanley Cup victory.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]Entering 2016-17, coach Mike Sullivan has the tough choice choosing who will start in goal. Both Fleury and Murray are competent, number-one caliber starting goalies. Fleury himself isn’t too worried about the healthy competition as long as Pittsburgh is winning.
“I’m sure Matty is in the same boat, too,” Fleury told Jonathan Bombulie of Triblive.com. “We’d like to play games. But if that’s what it is, that’s what it is. You deal with it and try my best when I’m in there.”
“Me and Matty playing gives us a chance to win games, and bottom line, that’s what matters,” Fleury said. “It doesn’t matter who’s in the net.”
The 31-year-old has to see the writing on the wall. Murray delivered an outstanding individual performance during the Penguins Cup run and solidified himself as Pittsburgh’s starter for seasons to come. At 22, Murray is ready to transition to full-time NHL duty. Fleury isn’t washed up or close to finished, but his appetite to start might have to be elsewhere.
Regardless, Fleury doesn’t want to go anywhere.
“No. No. No. I’ve always said this is like my home,” Fleury said. “I wish I could play here my whole career. I try to do my best for the team and for the organization.”
It’s a classy sentiment from the veteran goaltender. Fleury’s concern is about winning and not about his own personal numbers. The question exists: How long would he be comfortable in a backup role? Fleury’s served the city and organization incredibly well, so it would be surprising to see fans turn on him should he choose to start elsewhere.
