All eyes are on Minnesota Wild veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury as the National Hockey League Trade Deadline approaches, and there is growing speculation that he could in fact be moved to a contending team if the Wild were to be out of contention by the time the deadline rolls around next month on March 8.
At present, the playoffs are far from a certainty for the Wild, who began the season in a significant slump leading to the dismissal of head coach Dean Evason. Despite some improvements on the ice, the team's performance continues to fluctuate, leaving open the possibility of GM Bill Guerin offloading assets at the Trade Deadline.
Fleury finds himself in a pivotal position as he plays out the final year of his contract, leading to speculation within NHL circles that this could mark his last season. As the trade deadline approaches, it's expected that his name will once again surface in trade rumors, as it has in previous years.
And as indicated last week, the Toronto Maple Leafs remain a possibility to land Fleury, given the uncertainty of their goaltending situation. Further fuel is being poured on that particular fire by NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, who reports that Fleury would reportedly accept a deal to be acquired by Toronto.
"RUMORS: According to reports G Mark Andre-Fleury would be open to considering a trade to the Leafs. #Leafs #LeafsForever @PierreVLeBrun."
The Leafs have featured several starting goaltenders this season, including Ilya Samsonov, Joseph Woll, and Martin Jones. Samsonov was waived earlier in the year due to struggling mightily, but has somewhat rebounded. Meanwhile, Woll suffered an ankle injury that has kept him out of the lineup for the last several weeks.
If Fleury were to be dealt north of the border, it would mark the first time in his career that he'd suited up for a Canadian-based NHL team.
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