Respected insider Chris Johnston links future Hall of Fame goalie to the Oilers
Respected NHL insider Chris Johnston has linked future Hall of Fame goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to the Oilers in a signing that could occur over the next few weeks.
The NHL's March 6 trade deadline is still about 10 weeks away, but the picture is already starting to take shape for contenders looking ahead to the playoffs.
As injuries pile up and goaltending depth gets tested, the market for experienced insurance is quietly forming.
What is making teams interested in Marc-Andre Fleury
Marc-Andre Fleury remains one of the most fascinating names to watch. At 41, the future Hall of Fame goalie continues to draw interest from teams that believe a steady presence in net could make the difference in a long postseason run.
According to Chris Johnston, the Edmonton Oilers are one such team. Goaltending has been a season-long talking point in Edmonton, and the appeal is obvious.
Fleury would provide proven depth behind Tristan Jarry, another former Pittsburgh Penguin, especially after Jarry's recent lower-body injury highlighted how quickly plans can change.
"The pitch to Fleury would be pretty straightforward: Come join a team with Stanley Cup ambitions and rejoin forces with No. 1 man Tristan Jarry, a fellow former Pittsburgh Penguin."
- Chris Johnston
- Chris Johnston
Why Marc-Andre Fleury would fit in well in the Oilers locker room
Fleury's personality and experience would also fit naturally in a room led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, while easing concerns about carrying multiple goaltenders alongside Calvin Pickard.
Connor Ingram is currently Edmonton's third option, but there is still uncertainty about whether his game will fully stabilize before the playoffs.
Pierre LeBrun adds that the Tampa Bay Lightning have also checked in. Jonas Johansson has been serviceable behind Andrei Vasilevskiy, but Tampa Bay knows how fragile a playoff run can be if injuries strike.
With Vasilevskiy having dealt with health issues in recent seasons, the idea of having Fleury as a safety net is hard to ignore. As the deadline approaches, Fleury's name is only going to get louder.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 163 ANSWERS Respected insider Chris Johnston links future Hall of Fame goalie to the Oilers Will the Oilers sign Marc-Andre Fleury? | ||
| Yes | 64 | 39.3 % |
| No | 99 | 60.7 % |
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