Marc-Andre Fleury shares true feelings on Penguins

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is in the twilight of his career, and has implied that this season could be his last in the National Hockey League, having said before the year began that he'll play in 2023-24 and then "that might be it".

It's hard to believe that it's now been 20 years since he made his debut in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who selected him with the 1st overall pick in the 20023 NHL Draft. He played the majority of his career with the team before departing in 2017 (and a third occasion of having his name on the Stanley Cup) and joining the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, with whom he played until he was unceremoniously traded to Chicago without warning in 2021. 

Now with the Wild, Fleury knows that last night's game at PPG Paints Arena may have been the last time that he suits up for a game in Pittsburgh, despite having been on the bench. While the fans certainly wanted to see Fleury in the crease, it unfortunately didn't come to pass. 

However, Fleury admitted that the times he's faced his former Penguins teammates is "awkward". 

“Sometimes, it’s a little awkward facing them and stuff,” Fleury said. “Sometimes, I miss them — just to skate with them and dinners and the time on the plane.”

“It just feels like time flies so quickly. You know, my time (in Pittsburgh), my career, it’s 20 years, and it feels like — It’s gone by so fast,” said Fleury. It’s insane. I was here. It means I’m very lucky to do something I love. And time goes by quickly … But I’ve kept positive memories from my time here.”

Right now, Fleury is only a handful of wins from tying his boyhood idol Patrick Roy on the NHL's all-time win list. 

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