Marc-André Fleury and the Oilers: Addressing the 3 Biggest Objections

The Edmonton Oilers just can’t seem to escape questions about their goaltending, with the latest name to enter the conversation as a potential target being Marc-André Fleury.

Tristan Jarry was supposed to be the long-term solution in net — the true workhorse the Oilers had been searching to find for years. While that is certainly still the plan, his recent injury has once again tested Edmonton’s depth at the position.

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Even before Jarry went down, there had been chatter about the need to upgrade behind him, with names like Alex Lyon and Laurent Brossoit floated as possible options. For now, Calvin Pickard and offseason acquisition Connor Ingram continue to get their opportunity to prove that another move isn’t necessary. Still, that may not stop general manager Stan Bowman from at least exploring the idea of adding another goalie into the mix, and the Flower has emerged as a legitimate possibility.

Not everyone is sold on the idea, though, so with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the three biggest objections to a potential Fleury signing.

Objection 1: The Oilers Don’t Need Another Goalie

In today’s NHL, there’s no such thing as too much goaltending depth. Injuries happen, and form can come and go, so teams that survive long playoff runs almost always have at least three viable options they can turn to if needed. Only those with the luxury of an Andrei Vasilevskiy or Sergei Bobrovsky can ride one guy from start to finish without having to think twice about it.

Edmonton has already seen how quickly things can change with Jarry sidelined. If another injury were to hit, the situation could become uncomfortable in a hurry. This is exactly why the Oilers originally wanted to pair him in a tandem with Stuart Skinner; you can never have too many goalies. Fleury wouldn’t need to carry the load or be relied upon as a starter — he’d simply add another dependable layer of insurance.

Objection 2: Fleury Wouldn’t Be an Upgrade Over Pickard or Ingram

There’s no guarantee Fleury would instantly outperform both Pickard and Ingram, but his resume suggests the odds would be in his favor. Three-time Stanley Cup champion, Vezina Trophy-winning, potential future Hall of Famers don’t become available often, so no matter the circumstance, you have to at the very least consider it.

Pickard is well-liked in the room and always seems to show up when his job is on the line, but they can’t keep relying on his rope-a-dope act as the clear cup backup option. Ingram, meanwhile, remains something of an unknown at this stage, although he’s looked relatively solid in his first few starts as an Oiler. Fleury may not be in his prime anymore, but given his experience and track record, he could very realistically be the safest bet of the three.

Objection 3: Fleury’s Age and Time Away From Hockey

Yes, Fleury is 41 years old — but this wouldn’t be a case of someone dusting off the pads after years away. He appeared in 22 games for the Minnesota Wild last season and was more than serviceable, ranking among the league’s better backup options. Not to mention, he looked great at the World Hockey Championships in May, which was a major sign that he wasn’t ready to fully call it quits just yet.

If anything, the time off could and should work in his favor. Extra rest and a focused ramp-up will allow Fleury to step in refreshed and ready to handle whatever is thrown at him down the stretch run. For a team looking for stability, that matters.

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