Fleury addresses rumors: “I want to stay in Vegas... I wanted to end my career here.”

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc Andre Fleury has finally broken his silence on his future and... well his words might surprise some hockey fans.

Despite the fact that all signs are pointing to Robin Lehner signing a long-term deal with the Golden Knights, Fleury has no interest in moving on. Golden Knights insider Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports that the 35 year old netminder still has two years left on a contract that pays him $7 million per season and he intends on fulfilling the contract in Vegas before moving on to retirement. 

Check it out:

Check out some of these quotes from Fleury, courtesy of Granger:

“I want to stay in Vegas. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’ve loved every moment since I got here.”

“This team means a lot to me, and the city has been so good to me. The fans, and owner Bill Foley have been so awesome. It’s a great team, and I thought when I came here that maybe I could retire here. I wanted to end my career here.”

Interestingly enough, Fleury recognizes that he likely won't get starting time if in fact the team re-signs Lehner but... you know what? That's just fine with him.

Again from Granger's column:

“I get along great with Robin, so I think it would be all right,” Fleury said. “I still love to play. I don’t think I just want to be a backup, but I’ll practice hard, try to play well, and hopefully get some games, but it always comes down to the coach’s decision. Whatever happens, happens. And that’s fine. I’ll just try my best to come to camp in good shape and do well from there.”

No doubt that if the Golden Knights come back in 2020-21 with a tandem of Lehner and Fleury that they'd have arguably the best goaltending depth in the entire NHL, but the fact of the matter is that the team simply can't afford to have both guys signed to such big tickets. If the rumours of Lehner's $5 million annual deal are true, that would be $12 million combined with Fleury. Ouch.

Unfortunately for Fleury, even though he'd like to stick around it appears that the writing on the wall. Even Fleury himself knows as much.

“I understand the business side of hockey, and that I might have to be moved,” Fleury said. “But that’s why they (the front office) are the ones making the decisions.”

All things being equal, it looks like the end of a short era in Vegas.