Blackhawks' Fleury understands he could be shipped out before trade deadline
It's trade rumor season again in the NHL.
Normally a whisper here and there creates a few small ripples that basically go unnoticed.
But when a possible Marc-Andre Fleury-to-Vegas story popped up Tuesday it created a such tidal wave of emotions that Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon felt obliged to speak up.
"There is absolutely no credence to that rumor at all," McCrimmon told reporters. "I wouldn't normally speak (officially) on such things, but there will be so much racket about this, it's important to let people know that's not going to happen."
Vegas (28-17-3) owned the fifth-best points percentage in the Western Conference through Tuesday, but the Golden Knights may be without starting goaltender Robin Lehner (upper body) for a while.
Fleury is in the final year of a three-year, $21 million deal and played the last four seasons for Vegas. The 2021 Vezina Trophy winner was acquired by Stan Bowman in the off-season and has gone 16-17-3 with a .910 save percentage and 2.88 goals-against average for the Hawks. (Those numbers improve to .918, 2.60 if you take out his first four games).
Fleury understands questions about his future will continue and only heat up as the March 21 deadline approaches.
"It's part of the game, right?" Fleury said after Wednesday's practice at Fifth Third Arena. "I feel every trade deadline season you always hear a lot. ... That's OK. I don't have social media, so I don't see everything. But people tell me about it.
"I'm not worried too much about it. I'll play games here and try to win games here. We'll see what happens."
Fleury has a modified no-trade clause in his contract that allows him to submit a 10-team list that he cannot be sent to. Colorado and Washington are two powerful teams that need help in net, although both have salary-cap issues.
Fleury, who could fetch a high-end prospect and/or a first-round draft pick, will almost certainly be around until the Hawks name their permanent general manager. Six candidates have been interviewed to date and a decision is expected soon.
If the Hawks lose Fleury, they will likely finish the season with some combination of Kevin Lankinen, Arvid Soderblom and Collin Delia in net.
"Obviously it (would be) a huge loss," said interim coach Derek King. "I was talking to him (and) said I don't know what more I can say nice about you. I was almost like borderline Superfan with him.
"The hockey part of it, we all know what he can do. ... But the person there. You saw him up here (at the podium), right? He's just an excellent person, human being. He's great in the locker room, he has a great sense of humor. ... He plays the game the right way and he's a competitor.
"And we're going to miss that if it comes to the point where he is moved. That's just the beast. That's what we chose as a profession."
If for some reason Fleury isn't traded, he would consider re-signing with Chicago.
"Love my teammates," said Fleury, who wants to play at least one more season. "Great bunch of guys, great staff, locker room. The fans have been good, the people around town have been good to me. Only positive things to say about this place."
Soderblom to start
Goaltender Arvid Soderblom is expected to make his second start of the season when the Hawks host Columbus to begin a six-game homestand Thursday. Marc-Andre Fleury is then slated to start against Dallas Friday and against St. Louis in a Sunday matinee.
Soderblom's other start came in a 5-1 loss to Calgary Jan. 2 at the United Center. He made 37 saves. The 6-foot-1 Soderblom has a .925 save percentage in 17 games for Rockford this season.
He said it
"A raccoon jumped me the other night. I bite back, though. Don't worry. He took it worse."
A joking Marc-Andre Fleury on why he was sporting a black eye Wednesday (he actually got hit by the trunk of his car).