Fleury Now Wild’s Plan B in Wallstedt Trade Scenario?

The Minnesota Wild may have an unexpected contingency plan if trade talks involving top goaltending prospect Jesper Wallstedt heat up before the deadline. The news that the Wild might be unexpectedly open to a trade including Wallstedt only makes sense if they have a Plan B. Marc-Andre Fleury might be it.

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According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the retired veteran goaltender could quietly factor into Minnesota’s thinking if the Wild ultimately decides to move Wallstedt in a deal for a high-end center. Trading Wallstedt is a huge risk, but it becomes a less painful gamble if the Wild have a legitimate backup to come in and tandem with Filip Gustavsson.

Related: Insider Suggests Minnesota Wild Open to Trading Promising Young Goaltender

Russo admits that any chatter about Fleury remains speculative, and he’s leaning toward remaining retired. Still, Fleury has hinted that retirement isn’t sitting too well.

Fleury Makes Sense On Several Levels

Gustavsson is signed long-term and carries a full no-move clause. He’s not being traded. So, if the Wild want to land that superstar center, Wallstedt becomes a valuable trade piece. In that situation, Fleury could slide in without the Wild needing to acquire another goalie externally.

He’s already familiar with the team, has a strong relationship with Gustavsson, and wouldn’t need to uproot his family. Fleury has an unofficial job with the Wild, and any signing with another team creates a minor conflict of interest.

With both Gustavsson and Wallstedt representing Sweden at the upcoming Olympics, Fleury has agreed to serve as one of the Wild’s goaltenders when non-Olympians resume practice on Feb. 17. That arrangement gives him an opportunity to get back into game shape. Outside of time with his family, being in game shape would be his biggest return hurdle.

Russo notes the Wild have not discussed this possibility with Fleury. A Wallstedt trade is also just speculative. However, you could see how the Wild are putting these puzzle pieces together.

It wouldn’t take much for him to go from an unofficial player development or advisory role to a backup goalie to close out the season.

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