Fleury to join Blackhawks after mulling future
Marc-Andre Fleury will play for the Chicago Blackhawks after all.
Fleury's new team hinted at the decision Sunday morning before posting a video of the reigning Vezina Trophy winner in the afternoon.
He’s in 🌸#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/2RTjG7UGLe
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 1, 2021
Initially, Fleury was reportedly uninterested in suiting up for the Blackhawks after the Vegas Golden Knights traded the goaltender to Chicago on Tuesday.
At the time, Fleury reportedly didn't want to move his family to an unfamiliar city, and the veteran's concern wasn't about the Blackhawks organization. Fleury's agent Allan Walsh said Tuesday the netminder would be taking some time to determine his future.
Chicago acquired the 36-year-old from Vegas in exchange for minor-league forward Mikael Hakkarainen.
Fleury is under contract through 2021-22 at a $7-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly. The three-time Stanley Cup champion produced one of his best seasons in 2021, pacing NHL puck-stoppers in goals saved above expected at all strengths and ranking fourth in the same category at five-on-five, according to Evolving Hockey. He posted a .928 save percentage while earning six shutouts over only 36 games.
The Blackhawks have undergone a major transformation this offseason. They landed blue-chip defenseman Seth Jones in a blockbuster deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets after trading franchise fixture Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers for Seth's brother, Caleb.
Chicago also secured forward and back-to-back champion Tyler Johnson in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning that involved Brent Seabrook's contract, and the team signed skilled rearguard Jake McCabe to a four-year deal.