Whenever the Minnesota Wild play a game on the road, it's an opportunity for fans across the league to get to watch Marc-Andre Fleury. Now 39 years old, the legendary goalie may be playing in his final season - and fans are showing the appreciation he deserves for a great career.
Prior to tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers, a few young fans were spotted along the glass, all in Fleury jerseys, and all trying to get a look at their hockey hero. Seeing Fleury make an impact on the younger generation of fans is truly special to see. Even so far away from his home team in Minnesota, Fleury truly has fans everywhere.
Fleury, or known as ‘flower' to the fans, has developed a great reputation by being an incredible, athletic goaltender and an even better person off the ice. Just recently, Fleury elected to wear a custom mask honouring indigenous people, and when the league tried to shut him down for it, he persisted. Fans love to see Fleury had the guts to stand up for what he believes in.
And still to this day, at 39 years old, Fleury is a high-end goaltender. In 46 games last season, he posted a 2.85 Goals Against Average, and a .908 save percentage. With one year left on Fleury's contract, paying him only $3.5M, perhaps the Wild will look at trading him if they fall further out of a playoff spot. Perhaps even, Fleury could be the elite goalie the Oilers need.
