The Chicago Blackhawks traded goaltender Marc-André Fleury to the Minnesota Wild for a conditional second-round pick that can become a first, it was announced on Monday. The draft pick could turn into a first if the Wild reach the Western Conference finals and Fleury wins at least four games in those rounds.
Anzeige
Fleury waived his no-trade clause to move to Minnesota, The Athletic confirmed. Wild goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen has also been traded to the San Jose Sharks along with a fifth-round pick in exchange for defenseman Jacob Middleton.
Fleury’s time in Chicago was brief but memorable, as one of the most universally beloved players in the game quickly became a local fan favorite. But it wasn’t just his personality that won over the city; it was his play. Athletic and competitive as ever, Fleury’s numbers are somewhat pedestrian this season, thanks largely to the dicey defense he played behind — particularly during a brutal first month of the season, which was bad enough to get Jeremy Colliton fired as head coach.
But if not for Fleury, the Blackhawks would be even worse off than they are. His performance Tuesday in an overtime loss to Boston was a perfect example. The Bruins dominated every facet of the game, but Fleury made 46 saves — several of them spectacular — to get the game to overtime and steal a point. He can still do that. He’s the reigning Vezina winner, after all. And behind a better team, he could be a difference-maker in the playoffs.
Fleury controlled his own fate at the deadline. His no-movement clause includes only 10 teams, but after it took him a few days to accept whether to play in Chicago at all last summer, former general manager Stan Bowman gave Fleury an unofficial assurance that he wouldn’t trade him without clearing it with him first. New GM Kyle Davidson honored that pledge, which naturally limited Chicago’s options.
“If I move, I would love to have a chance to win,” Fleury said on Feb. 16. “That’s what I play for and what I love. But it’s still a big if at this point.”
Fleury is in the last year of his contract but has said he’d like to continue playing next season.
Anzeige
For more, follow The Athletic's trade deadline live updates.
(Photo: Mike Dinovo / USA Today)
GO DEEPER
Jonathan Marchessault on Wild trade pickup Marc-André Fleury: 'Heads up'
Could Fleury emerge as Minnesota's starter heading into playoffs?
Michael Russo, Wild senior writer: Definitely. The reigning Vezina winner comes to Minnesota with a playoff pedigree having won the fourth-most playoff games in NHL history. Cam Talbot has won five in a row, but he’s been erratic since the All-Star Game and at a minimum, Fleury will come to Minnesota to platoon with Talbot so they can pick one goalie heading into the playoffs. The Wild don’t make this type of move without thinking Fleury will be the guy come May and what they hope is June.
What does Middleton add for Minnesota?
Russo: Big, hard-nosed defenseman who will stand up for teammates, bang bodies, fight and clear the front of the net. The Wild have given up way too many goals of late and the Wild identified that they needed to get bigger and tougher on the back end. He played well alongside either Brent Burns or Erik Karlsson this season.
Sharks captain Logan Couture told The Athletic that Middleton “can play up and down the lineup, is a good, solid player with a great work ethic.”
Did Chicago get good value in return for Fleury?
Scott Powers, Blackhawks senior writer: The Blackhawks were certainly hoping for a definitive first-round pick in exchange for Fleury, but they made the best of the trade that was in front of them.
It's certainly possible Fleury helps lead the Wild to the Western Conference final and that pick becomes a first-rounder. The last thing Davidson wanted was to not get anything for Fleury. Davidson is beginning a true rebuild and he needs early-round draft picks to do that. He got some in the Brandon Hagel trade and another one in the Fleury deal.