Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
A couple weeks ago long-time Calgary Flames writer
Darren Haynes floated out the idea of acquiring Marc-Andre Fleury to be the team's new starting goaltender.
That idea seems to be picking up some steam as Fleury has been linked to the Flames again, this time by Eric Duhatschek of The Globe and Mail.
Duhatschek had this to say while doing a radio spot on Sportsnet 960 (
transcription via MyNHLTradeRumors):
“I think what you’ll see is that, if they announce the expansion draft in June in Las Vegas, that will be one of players whose names will be out there. People [in Calgary] are gonna have to evaluate… is Marc-Andre Fleury the guy you need to get you to the next point?”
“The acquisition cost for a guy like Fleury… that might just be taking him off your hands, free the money off the books, and it doesn’t cost you a tangible asset off your roster.”
I have a few thoughts:
1) Would Marc-Andre Fleury help the Flames? Absolutely. He is not only an upgrade over the garbage goaltending the Flames were graced with this past season but he's an undisputed No. 1 goaltender.
Fleury has posted a .920 save percentage or better in consecutive seasons and he owns a very respectable .928SV% at 5 v 5 in that span. That's good for 12th among 36 eligible goaltenders (minimum 3,000 minutes) and puts him ahead of big names like Tuukka Rask, Ben Bishop, Jonathan Quick and Frederik Andersen, among many others, in that span.
2) Fleury has dealt with multiple concussions over the last little while and will be 32 a month into the upcoming season. He's good, but he will begin his decline soon and his health issues are worrisome.
3) Unless the Flames can move a contract or two they're going to be right against the cap when they give new deals to Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and co. They don't really have space for Fleury. Do they really want to jump through hoops to make room for a goaltender who makes $5.75 per, is in his 30s and has a concussion history? That's risky business.
4) Duhatschek's 2nd quote seems to suggest the Flames won't have to give up any meaningful assets for Fleury because they're up against the cap. I have a hard time believing the Penguins would giveaway a legitimate starting goaltender, who has won a Cup with the team, simply because they want to clear some cap space.
Conclusion
Marc-Andre Fleury is a good goaltender and would be a massive upgrade over what the Flames had between the pipes last season. That said, the Flames would probably be best off turning their attention elsewhere given Fleury's contract, age and concussion history; especially when
there will be a very good option available to the team in free agency.
Recent posts:
Geoff Ward emerges as candidate for Flames' coaching vacancy
On Nylander and clearing cap space
Is Mikkel Boedker a good fit for the Flames?
Flames fire Bob Hartley
Why James Reimer might be the best option for Calgary
It's time to cut ties with Lance Bouma
Flames need to proceed with caution in Colborne contract talks
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»