The Minnesota Wild have had a disappointing season after consecutive 100+ point seasons. This is tough for the team having to deal with so much cap space tied up in past buyouts, but they’re almost through it. It is impressive that this struggle didn’t come sooner, but injuries and lack of adequate help has finally caught up to them. The Wild have two wins in their past 10 games, are two games under .500, and are eight points back of a playoff spot. It won’t be easy to climb back in the race.
That being said, general manager Bill Guerin believes that it is premature to be gauging the trade market for Marc-Andre Fleury. That doesn’t mean it isn’t on the horizon very soon if this losing continues. The teams ahead of the Wild that they need to catch just continue to win. Guerin understands the interest that is there and will be there for Fleury in the coming weeks if the Wild don’t go on a run. Pierre LeBrun noted that there are four teams that could be destinations for Fleury; the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Each Team’s Need for Fleury
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are very hot, having won 11 in a row and 19 of the last 22 games. This doesn’t mean they don’t need help in net. Stuart Skinner has been very good, but will need some rest. This is only his second season in the NHL. He has played a ton and Calvin Pickard, the team’s third string to start the season, is backing up. While he’s also been solid, neither him, Jack Campbell, or Olivier Rodrigue can likely do the job the Oilers need. Fleury can be a great mentor to Skinner for the remainder of the season like he is to Filip Gustavsson in Minnesota. If need be, Fleury has taken his team to the Stanley Cup Final before and can start if there’s struggles or an injury.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs’ troubles stem deeper than goaltending. As it stands, Martin Jones and Joseph Woll have been very good. The problem is Woll is injured and Jones will eventually tire out. He hasn’t played this well in years, so the question is how long will it last. As there is no timetable for Woll to come back and the Maple Leafs are dropping down the standings, things might turn even more sour and Fleury could be a good option to be brought in.
Related: What’s Next for the Maple Leafs Post Nylander Contract
New Jersey Devils
The biggest problem for the Devils this season has been goaltending. Vitek Vanecek has struggled all season, but Akira Schmid didn’t do much better, getting demoted to the AHL a while ago. Brought up in his place was young Nico Daws, who has done the best of the three. There is no certainty that his numbers will stay strong. The Devils have the talent throughout the lineup to get back into the playoffs and win, but desperately need consistent goaltending help. I’m betting they’re willing to send Vanecek back to the Wild in a deal for Fleury.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have three solid goaltenders, or at least they did heading into the 2023-24 season. Frederik Andersen has been out for most of the season, and Pyotr Kochetkov, their young goalie who picked up his game greatly, is now also out. Antti Raanta, the veteran netminder who was sent to the AHL a while ago for poor play, is the team’s only option in net. It hasn’t gone great so far, so bringing in a veteran that is playing well like Fleury could change the outcome of games and get the team where it needs to be come playoff time.
The way things are going, Fleury is going to be traded before the deadline this season. The suitors will be interesting as some may have resolved their issues by then and new teams could emerge as suitors.
