If training camp goes Marc-Andre Fleury’s way, he’ll be the starting goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2016-17 season.
Fleury spoke with Robert Laflamme of LNH.com about being a backup goaltender during the Pittsburgh Penguins run to a Stanley Cup victory. He admitted it was an odd feeling being on the bench while rookie Matt Murray started, but said at the end of the day, he’s still happy to have his name on the Cup.
He also said he’d love to finish his career in Pittsburgh and win the starting job back.
“I love Pittsburgh, and the Penguins are my team; I want to stay with them for the rest of my career,” Fleury said. “I had some good conversations with management after the season. Nothing is written in stone. I want to come to camp ready to win my job back. I have to get back to the same level of play and help the team, win games.”
Fleury’s chances of becoming the starter again are slim even though he’s still a very good, starting-caliber goaltender in the league. Fleury won 35 games in 58 appearances, with a .921 save percentage and 2.29 goals against average in 2015-16. They’re stellar numbers. Still, the Penguins are heading in a new direction. Murray was sensational during the Stanley Cup playoffs and to make him the backup after accomplishing hockey’s ultimate goal would be a strange move. Not impossible, but unlikely.
However, Fleury’s attitude is in the right place. He should be wanting to win his starting job back. He’s not washed up or a scrub. Fleury has just dealt with some injury issues. Can he win the starting job back? I’m not convinced. Is he capable of doing so? Absolutely.
Pittsburgh has two very good goaltenders, so whichever one starts will continue to give them a solid foundation between the pipes.
