On Saturday night, Elliotte Friedman reported that Marc-Andre Fleury might be on the move to Minnesota, and The Athletic’s Wild beat reporter Michael Russo is reporting the same:
“According to multiple sources, general manager Bill Guerin has once again investigated the prices of goaltenders around the NHL and has zeroed in on potentially acquiring the Blackhawks future Hall of Fame goaltender in advance of Monday’s 2 p.m. trade deadline. Remember, prior to signing Cam Talbot to a three-year contract in 2020, the Wild attempted to acquire Fleury from the Golden Knights.”
Now, Friedman is doubling-down, reporting this evening on TNT that there is a higher than a 50 percent chance that the veteran goaltender will be heading to Minnesota between now and tomorrow afternoon’s trade deadline.
Elliotte Friedman said on TNT that the belief is greater than 50% chance Fleury gets traded to the Minnesota Wild.
— Stache (@stacheesq.bsky.social) (@StacheEsq) March 20, 2022
Last night, Russo said that Minnesota is one of the teams Marc-André Fleury would be willing to be traded to given Minnesota GM Bill Guerin’s relationship and past playing days together. Perhaps that would be enough for the veteran goaltender to uproot his family just months after moving them from Las Vegas to Chicago.
But if a trade is going to get done, the Hawks might have to accept something less than they’re reportedly seeking:
I don't know where things will go between Minnesota and Chicago regarding Marc-Andre Fleury but we know the Hawks' asking price last week was a 1st RD pick for Fleury, and we know the Wild don't want to move a 1st RD pick for a rental so…
something would have to give there…— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 20, 2022
Despite these conversations, Fleury will start in net for the Blackhawks tonight, when they take on the Jets as Blackhawks head coach Derek King said that no one would be held out of action as asset protection.