The Chicago Blackhawks are trading goaltender Marc-André Fleury to the Minnesota Wild for a conditional second-round pick that could be the first, The Athletic confirmed on Monday. The draft could be a first pick if the Wild make it to the Western Conference Finals and Fleury wins at least four games in those rounds.
Fleury waived his no-trade clause and moved to Minnesota, The Athletic confirmed. Wild goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen was also traded to the San Jose Sharks along with a fifth-round pick for defenseman Jacob Middleton, the source said.
Fleury’s time in Chicago was brief but memorable, as one of the game’s most beloved players quickly became a local fan favorite. But not only his personality conquered the city; it was his game. Athletic and competitive as ever, Fleury’s performance this season has been somewhat mediocre, thanks in large part to the risky defense he’s played behind, especially in a brutal first month of the season that was bad enough that Jeremy Colliton was sacked as head coach.
But if not for Fleury, the Blackhawks would be even worse than they are now. His Tuesday overtime performance against Boston was a perfect example. The Bruins dominated every aspect of the game, but Fleury made 46 saves—some impressive ones—to send the game into overtime and score a point. He can still do it. After all, he is the current Vezina winner. And behind a stronger team, he could play a decisive role in the playoffs.
Fleury was in control of his own destiny on a deadline. His no-move clause only includes 10 teams, but after it took him days last summer to agree whether to play at all in Chicago, former general manager Stan Bowman gave Fleury an off-the-record assurance that he would not trade him without confirmation. with him in the first place. New general manager Kyle Davidson delivered on that promise, which naturally limited Chicago’s options.
“If I move, I would like to have a chance to win,” Fleury said on Feb. 16. “This is what I play for and what I love. But for now, it’s still a big “if.”
Fleury is nearing the end of the last year of his contract but has said he would like to continue next season.
For more information, keep an eye on The Athletic for updates on the trade deadline.
(Photo: Mike Dinovo/USA Today)