Marc-Andre Fleury Returns too pittsburgh on Professional Tryout Contract
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Marc-andre Fleury, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has signed a professional tryout contract with the team, the Penguins announced on September 12, 2024. [https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/marc-andre-fleury-pto-pittsburgh-penguins/c-347519986] This comes after Fleury announced his retirement at the end of the 2023-24 season with the Minnesota Wild. he will participate in practice on September 26th and is slated to play in an exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 27th at PPG Paints Arena. [https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38631999/marc-andre-fleury-signs-pto-pittsburgh-penguins]
A Storied Career with the Penguins
Fleury was originally drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2003 NHL Draft and spent 13 seasons with the institution (2003-2017).During his time in Pittsburgh, he established himself as a franchise icon, leading the Penguins to Stanley Cup victories in 2009, 2016, and 2017.
He holds numerous Penguins franchise records,including:
* Games Played: 691
* Wins: 375
* Shutouts: 44
* Goals-Against Average: 2.58 (first among Penguins goalies with 100+ games played)
* Save Percentage: .912 (second among Penguins goalies with 100+ games played)
In stanley Cup Playoff action with the Penguins, Fleury appeared in 115 games, securing 62 wins and 10 shutouts.
Fleury’s NHL Legacy
Beyond his accomplishments in Pittsburgh,Fleury has built a remarkable NHL career spanning 21 seasons with the Penguins,Vegas Golden Knights,Chicago Blackhawks,and Minnesota Wild. As of the end of the 2023-24 season, he ranks second in NHL history in:
* Victories: 575
* games Played: 1,051
* Time on Ice: 60,669:03 [https://www.nhl.com/stats/player/8478857]
Last season with the Wild, Fleury posted a 14-9-1 record with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage in 26 games (22 starts). [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/f/fleum01.html] His career totals stand at 575-339-97 with a 2.60 GAA and a .912 save percentage, along with 76 shutouts.
Penguins’ Perspective
Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas expressed the organization’s excitement about Fleury’s return. “The entire Penguins organization is honored to welcome Marc-Andre Fleury back to the ice in Pittsburgh,” Dubas stated. [https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/marc-andre-fleury-pto-pittsburgh-penguins/c-347519986] He emphasized Fleury’s impact on the team,the city,and the game,highlighting his character and the chance to celebrate his career “full-circle moment” in front of the Pittsburgh fans.
What’s Next?
The professional tryout allows Fleury to re-acclimate to the Penguins’ system and demonstrate his readiness for the upcoming season.While a PTO doesn’t guarantee a contract, it provides an opportunity for both Fleury and the Penguins to evaluate a potential fit. The exhibition game against the Blue Jackets will be a key opportunity for fans to see Fleury back in a Penguins uniform and assess his current form. This situation is developing and will be closely watched by hockey fans as a potential storybook ending to a legendary career unfolds.
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