Marc-André Fleury and the “Right Opportunity” with Oilers or Canadiens

Marc-André Fleury may be 39 years old and technically retired, but the idea of a comeback isn’t being dismissed inside NHL circles — especially if the situation is right. According to Mike Rupp and Devan Dubnyk on NHL Network this week, two teams immediately stand out as logical fits if Fleury ever decides to return: the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens.

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Both said they wouldn’t be surprised if Fleury answered a midseason phone call and interest from NHL teams sparked a possible comeback. As for where he’d consider, that’s not known, but two teams in the Oilers and Canadiens make sense. Rupp argued that if Fleury came back, it wouldn’t be as a backup or placeholder. Both analysts agreed he’d only return for a chance to play — and to win.

Can the Canadiens and Oilers Offer What Fleury Might Need?

Starting with the Edmonton Oilers, both thought they were a fit if Fleury wanted to win.

Dubnyk acknowledged that the addition of Tristan Jarry didn’t necessarily fix their questions in goal — it offered more of a change. “Tristan Jarry is an upgrade, but they’re still in the same spot, and it’s shown now when Jarry’s been hurt,” Dubnyk said, which only reinforces why Edmonton remains such an intriguing option.

The Oilers are widely viewed as contenders, and expectations are clear: this team is supposed to make another deep run. Fleury wouldn’t be parachuted in as an automatic starter, but Edmonton has shown it can be quick to pivot if results demand it. Just as important, Dubnyk noted Fleury is the kind of personality teammates instantly rally behind — something that hasn’t always been there, even with capable goaltenders.

With the Canadiens, it would be about going home.

Fleury is a Quebec native, and the chance to finish his career in a Canadiens jersey would potentially fulfill a lifelong dream. In terms of a Stanley Cup, the Habs aren’t arguably as competitive as Edmonton. Still, they are a solid team that, with the right goaltending, could offer meaningful games in which Fleury also plays at home.

In the end, it comes down to what Fleury values most. If it’s chasing one more Cup, Edmonton fits. If it’s closing the book at home, Montreal remains a powerful option.

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