Sports are a business and at times it can be a brutal one. Marc-Andre Fleury is finding this out first hand as the Penguins just won the Stanley Cup and they are reportedly trying to move him this offseason. The reported team to touch base with the Penguins is the Calgary Flames, who for a large portion of the season were without league average goaltending. Would Fleury be a good investment for the Flames?
The initial report comes from the Calgary Sun, where it was reported that the two teams have touched base:
“Trading Fleury now is best for everyone involved.
Flames GM Brad Treliving is well aware of the possible fit and, as should be expected from the diligent workhorse, he’s been in contact with [Penguins GM Jim] Rutherford.
The Penguins could use the cap space as they are currently $2.5 million over the $71.4 salary cap, which may very well dip lower, further exacerbating the problem.”
The price for acquiring Fleury is going to be the key here. His value is in flux due to the impending expansion draft. It is assumed that the Penguins would rather protect Matt Murray instead, even though Fleury has a no-movement clause. If they keep him for another season, would they rather he just go for free? They need to pull the trigger sooner rather than later or they will risk losing out on a market that is starving for a good goaltender.
Make no mistake, Fleury is still very good. He has a great save percentage and has a mostly solid track record in the playoffs. His cap hit may be too steep but for teams like the Flames that are trying to “go for it now”, no price is too high to pay. Would he waive his no-movement clause to go to Calgary? Hard to say but if the writing is on the wall and he knows he isn’t wanted, where else can he go?
