Fleury set for possible final visit to Pittsburgh with Wild

PITTSBURGH -- Marc-Andre Fleury was foundational for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In Pittsburgh, there is the current core of centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and defenseman Kris Letang. But what is three was once a group of four that helped the Penguins to three Stanley Cup championships (2009, 2016, 2017).

Now with the Minnesota Wild, Fleury was that fourth and inaugural member, then an 18-year-old goalie from Sorel, Quebec, who was selected No. 1 by Pittsburgh in the 2003 NHL Draft.

Fleury, now 39 years old and in his 20th season, will be back at his first NHL home, possibly for the final time as a player, when the Wild face the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Monday (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, BWSI, BSN).

“I’ve thought about it,” Fleury said. “I try not to make a big deal about it. Enjoy the day. Enjoy the people and the rink.

“We’ll see.”

Fleury will not start against Pittsburgh, though. Instead, he will back up Filip Gustavsson before starting against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, Minnesota coach John Hynes said.

“A little bit (disappointed),” Fleury said Monday. “But that’s OK. I get to play tomorrow. The team’s been good. The team has been winning lately. ‘Gus’ has been awesome. So just have to keep it rolling.”

Fleury, who is 4-5-2 with a 3.29 goals-against average and .886 save percentage this season, is four games from 1,000 in the NHL. At 548-320-93, he is also three wins from tying Patrick Roy for the second-most in League history, behind only Martin Brodeur (691).

With the Penguins, Fleury was 375-216-66 with two ties, finishing with the most wins in their history, and had a 2.58 GAA, the lowest among goalies to have played at least 100 games for Pittsburgh.

“He’s been at it for a while,” Crosby said. “He had a lot of responsibility for a young goalie. Played a lot of games. He’s had an amazing career. Definitely enjoyed playing with him. It’s always a challenge playing against him.

“He came in at a young age with a lot of pressure and expectation. He passed by a mile, as far as what the expectations were. He set the tone.”

But Pittsburgh wasn’t always easy.

In his first start on Oct. 10, 2003, Fleury allowed a short-handed goal from Eric Belanger 38 seconds into the first period of a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He finished his rookie season 4-14-2 with a 3.64 GAA and .896 save percentage.

“I’ve taken pride in starting when we didn’t win much when I first came in,” Fleury said. “Building it into a good team and having some success with that team here. I take a lot of pride in those years. It’s a while ago already.”

After winning the Stanley Cup in 2009, when he made a last-second diving save against Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom in Game 7 of the Final, Fleury had a .880 save percentage in the playoffs the following four seasons.

In 2015-16, Fleury was 35-17-6 with a 2.29 GAA and .921 save percentage. However, two concussions led Matt Murray, then a rookie, to become the primary starter during another Cup run.

Fleury and Murray then split time during the regular season in 2016-17. With Murray missing time in the playoffs because of an injury, Fleury went 9-6 with a 2.56 GAA and .924 save percentage, helping Pittsburgh advance to the Eastern Conference Final against the Ottawa Senators.

But Fleury was pulled after allowing four goals on nine shots in Game 3, and the Penguins went on to win their second straight championship with Murray starting the rest of the postseason.

To Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan, though, how Fleury handled the good and bad couldn’t be replicated.

“’Flower’ is just an amazing person,” Sullivan said. “He’s a guy that’s a real passionate guy. He has a zest for life. He loves the game. His personality is contagious. He’s been one of the most popular teammates in this room. That certainly has been my observation.

“He’s a Hall of Fame-caliber goalie. I know that the guys that he played with just have a ton of respect for him as a person and as a goaltender. As do all the guys, the coaches and managers, that have been here that have had the opportunity and privilege to work with ‘Flower.’”

Fleury was selected first by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, appearing on stage on June 21, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The day before, he was in a crowded Dick’s Sporting Goods store a short walk down a hill from Pittsburgh’s practice facility in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, holding an autograph signing.

“That’s where his journey started,” Letang said. “He had a chance to play for championships and win Stanley Cups. You get close to your teammates, close to the organization, the fans, the people from Pittsburgh. I’m pretty sure he still thinks of it a little bit, sometimes when he looks back.

“He’s just a great human being. He always cared about everybody around him, especially the people that cheered for him most of his career.”

Fleury said it doesn't feel like nearly seven years have passed.

“Time flies so quick,” Fleury said. “My old time here, my career, it’s 20 years and it feels like it’s gone by so fast. It’s insane. Obviously, it means I’m very lucky to do something I love. Time goes by quick. It feels like the season has started and it’s Christmas already.”

Fleury is 4-4-0 with a 3.19 GAA and .900 save percentage in eight games against the Penguins. On April 6 last season, he allowed four goals on 31 shots in a 4-1 loss.

Late in the third period, the fans began to chant Fleury’s last name, just as they would have following a tough save in his 13 seasons with the Penguins.

“It’s always been special for me, coming to Pittsburgh,” Fleury said. “Obviously, I spent a lot of time here. People have always been very welcoming every time I’ve come back in town. Always fun, always fun coming back. So many great memories when I come back.

“At the hotel, in the city, walking around. The buildings. Seeing the fans, people I’ve seen back then … it’s always fun to be back.”