Report: Capitals A ‘Possibility’ For Fleury If Wild Deal Doesn’t Get Done

Per ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, there were rumblings that a one-year extension was in place for Marc-Andre Fleury, but there is no deal done yet with the Minnesota Wild. GM Bill Guerin is working on a deal and met with Fleury’s agent Wednesday. However, if a contract doesn’t get done, he will hit the free agency market on July 13. And, per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Washington Capitals are a “possibility” for the 37-year-old goaltender.

Other potential suitors include the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Colorado Avalanche (if Darcy Kuemper doesn’t re-sign) and potentially the Pittsburgh Penguins.

General manager Brian MacLellan said on Wednesday that the Capitals will explore the trade market and free agency for a starting goaltender. They will also issue RFAs Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek qualifying offers and factor that into their decision of who to bring in.

Fleury was among the top goaltenders that could hit the market, where he would have joined Stanley Cup champion Darcy Kuemper, Jack Campbell and Ville Husso. John Gibson is another name that has come up in trade rumors, along with Sergei Bobrovsky.

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Back at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, Washington reportedly made a “full-court press” for Fleury. However, the goaltender didn’t want to come to D.C. due to the team’s rivalry and his dedication to the Penguins. Fleury also said on TV that a move to D.C. “didn’t seem right.” It is unclear if those feelings still remain.

Fleury spent last season with the Chicago Blackhawks and Wild following a trade from the Vegas Golden Knights. The Quebec native went 28-23-5 through 56 games, posting a .908 save percentage and 2.90 GAA. He impressed following his trade to Minnesota to close out the regular season, going 9-2 with a .910 save percentage. He struggled a bit in the postseason, though, registering a .906 save percentage and 3.04 GAA as the team suffered a first-round exit at the hands of the St. Louis Blues.

The All-Star goaltender is one of the best to ever play in the Show. He ranks third all-time in wins (520) and has captured three Stanley Cups over the course of his 19-year career.