The Minnesota Wild announced this morning that they have re-signed Marc-Andre Fleury to a one-year, $2.25 million contract extension. The future Hall-of-Fame goalie struggled at times this season behind an injury-filled team but also showed that despite turning 39 last November, his play has not slipped. Minnesota fans have embraced the legendary goalie and are lucky to watch him as he enters the sunset of his career.
Fleury played well enough that there was talk of possibly trading him at the deadline to a Cup-contending team once it became obvious that the Wild were most likely out of the running. But Fleury wanted to stay in Minnesota and battle it out with the team that he’s played with for several years now. He also forecasted his extension, saying that he would either retire or sign a one-year contract with the Wild and only the Wild so that he wouldn’t have to uproot his family.
During the 2023-24 season, the beloved goalie broke several records and celebrated milestones. With how the NHL works now, Fleury will be the last goalie to play 1000 games. He also passed second place for most wins by a goalie. He’s the active leader in shootout wins, game wins, saves, games played, and minutes played.
Minnesota now has Fleury for one more year along with Filip Gustavsson for another two seasons. Next season will likely see a similar situation to this year with goalies. Gustavsson struggled this season but has had Fleury around to mentor him. Hopefully next season, he will be able to prove that he is worthy of being the starting goalie. That leaves Jesper Wallstedt to stay in Iowa for one more year of development with the Iowa Wild. There have been rumblings about trading Gustavsson, but with Wallstedt being so young, it makes sense to let Gustavsson battle to start in the net next season.
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