Marc-Andre Fleury has informed the Chicago Blackhawks he intends to play next season, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman can confirm.
Fleury, who was acquired by Chicago in an off-season trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, had expressed a desire to remain in Vegas and had not commented on whether or not he would suit up for his new club following the deal.
The 36-year-old is coming off a remarkable season that saw him post career-highs in goals against average (1.98) and save percentage (.928) and earn both the Vezina and the William M Jennings Trophy in the process.
Despite his success with the Golden Knights over the past four seasons, Fleury’s tenure with the team has been rocky at times. His place in the starter’s crease was called into question when the club acquired Robin Lehner from Chicago at the 2019-20 deadline, and again when his new counterpart was given the majority of playoff starts that spring.
Speculation about whether the Golden Knights might try to move Fleury increased in the fall with the signing of Lehner to a five-year, $25-million extension, but Fleury’s performance ultimately saw him win over the bulk of starts deep into the playoffs.
Over nearly two decades in the league, Fleury has compiled an incredible resume of achievements that includes three Stanley Cup rings with the Pittsburgh Penguins and 90 playoff wins in 160 post-season starts. Since first appearing in the playoffs in the spring of 2007, Fleury has never missed the post-season — that’s 15 consecutive playoff berths, making him the first goalie in NHL history to have a run that long.
