Marc-Andre Fleury: From Pittsburgh Penguin To Cape Breton Eagle
Marc-Andre Fleury was trying to save games for the worst team in the NHL, and the strain on the rookie goaltender was starting to show.
An NHL team in last place, getting blown out regularly and drawing a few thousand fans per game, is surely loathe to part with its only marketable player. But the Pittsburgh Penguins drew a deep breath and did the right thing today, sending Fleury back to junior hockey.
Fleury's NHL season ends Friday, when he rejoins the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Fleury, 19, was the top pick in last spring's NHL Entry Draft. In 21 games with the Penguins, he posted a 4-14-2 record, a 3.64 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage. Had he appeared in 25 games and reached specific statistical benchmarks, he could have collected up to $3-million US in bonuses.
But beyond the financial considerations, the move is in the best interests of team and goaltender. Although he was the most exciting player on a young, thin Pittsburgh roster, it's been obvious for some weeks that Fleury belongs in junior hockey, at least until next season.
This year's hopeless Penguins are a nightmare for any goaltender, let alone a teenaged rookie. Fleury looked great in some early season starts, but his performance was declining by the time he was sent to play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
That tournament proved a disappointment, as Fleury looked uncomfortable throughout and took much of the blame for a disastorous gold medal game, in which Canada blew a 3-1 third period lead.
Returning to the Penguins in January, Fleury relived the world junior letdown in his first game back: Minnesota scored four goals in less than six minutes to erase a 2-0 Pittsburgh lead and steal a 4-2 win.
A few days later the Ottawa Senators chased him from the net with six goals on 23 shots.
His next two starts were better, but the Penguins could do little to stop Colorado or Tampa Bay. Fleury was burned for five goals in each game, both losses.
There was little point in continuing such a pattern. Most NHL goaltenders are in their late twenties before emerging as reliable, fulltime starters. Fleury still looks like a once-in-a-generation prospect who could emerge as an All Star well ahead of schedule. But it's time to scale back the early expectations.
"He's going to be a great goaltender for a long time," general manager Craig Patrick told the Associated Press. "We thought it was best for him to go back to his junior club, considering our circumstances, and put him in a situation where he's got a chance to win some championships."
An NHL team in last place, getting blown out regularly and drawing a few thousand fans per game, is surely loathe to part with its only marketable player. But the Pittsburgh Penguins drew a deep breath and did the right thing today, sending Fleury back to junior hockey.
Fleury's NHL season ends Friday, when he rejoins the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Fleury, 19, was the top pick in last spring's NHL Entry Draft. In 21 games with the Penguins, he posted a 4-14-2 record, a 3.64 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage. Had he appeared in 25 games and reached specific statistical benchmarks, he could have collected up to $3-million US in bonuses.
But beyond the financial considerations, the move is in the best interests of team and goaltender. Although he was the most exciting player on a young, thin Pittsburgh roster, it's been obvious for some weeks that Fleury belongs in junior hockey, at least until next season.
This year's hopeless Penguins are a nightmare for any goaltender, let alone a teenaged rookie. Fleury looked great in some early season starts, but his performance was declining by the time he was sent to play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
That tournament proved a disappointment, as Fleury looked uncomfortable throughout and took much of the blame for a disastorous gold medal game, in which Canada blew a 3-1 third period lead.
Returning to the Penguins in January, Fleury relived the world junior letdown in his first game back: Minnesota scored four goals in less than six minutes to erase a 2-0 Pittsburgh lead and steal a 4-2 win.
A few days later the Ottawa Senators chased him from the net with six goals on 23 shots.
His next two starts were better, but the Penguins could do little to stop Colorado or Tampa Bay. Fleury was burned for five goals in each game, both losses.
There was little point in continuing such a pattern. Most NHL goaltenders are in their late twenties before emerging as reliable, fulltime starters. Fleury still looks like a once-in-a-generation prospect who could emerge as an All Star well ahead of schedule. But it's time to scale back the early expectations.
"He's going to be a great goaltender for a long time," general manager Craig Patrick told the Associated Press. "We thought it was best for him to go back to his junior club, considering our circumstances, and put him in a situation where he's got a chance to win some championships."