Montreal Canadiens
Odd Trade Suitor Suggested by Analyst For Golden Knights’ Fleury
NBC and TSN analyst Pierre McGuire suggested a trade idea for Marc-Andre Fleury that is almost too incredible to believe.
It won’t come as a surprise that rumors will surround Marc-Andre Fleury and trades will be suggested that will take him out of Vegas when this season comes to a close. Despite comments from Fleury, Robin Lehner and the Golden Knights organization that everything is fine, most insiders believe that the drama caused by the photo that Fleury’s agent posted will lead to a trade.
The question is, where?
Fleury has two more seasons on $7 million per season contract. In an NHL market flooded with goaltenders and with little money to spare for a number of teams dealing with a tight salary cap, one has to wonder how many realistic options are out there.
One Surprising Trade Was Suggested
During a hit on TSN690, NHL announcer and hockey analyst Pierre McGuire suggested, of all teams, the Montreal Canadiens should look at Fleury. Considering the money already being spent on Carey Price, that’s an almost unbelievable idea.
McGuire thinks that Fleury would make for a great back-up to Carey Price, but does note that he doesn’t think the Canadiens wouldn’t be able to get him. He wasn’t clear on why he didn’t think the Habs could land him, he simply said he doesn’t know what Vegas will do with the player. Noting the potential unrest within that organization now, something is likely to be done with Fleury. He said, “but you asked me who’s the one guy I would pick to back up Price, it would be Marc-Andre Fleury.”
The Cap Ramifications Would Be Disastrous
McGuire didn’t talk much about the cap implications of what it would mean to add Fleury but those implications are obvious. Should the Canadiens do so, it would mean Montreal was investing $17.5 million in their goaltending for the next two seasons.
Realistically, there’s just no way the Canadiens could or would do so. With an $81 million cap available to team next season, to have over 20% tied up in between the pipes is not a winning formula.
We’re going to assume that McGuire must have known that when he said what he said. Still, that the idea is even out there is quite shocking.
Next: Multiple Failed Trades Led to Kapanen Deal With Penguins [Report]
