Report: Fleury will not accept a trade to Penguins rival

There are plenty of rumor reports flying around out there concerning the future of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc Andre Fleury and where he may or may not end up before the NHL's trade deadline on March 21st.

It's worth noting that Fleury does have a full no-trade movement clause though so he won't be going anywhere he doesn't want to go. It's also worth noting that one of his longtime rivals in the Washington Capitals are interested in Fleury's services but... well... let's just say the feeling isn't mutual.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that Fleury isn't interested in joining the Capitals since he's still "very much a Penguin."

More from Friedman:

“I think the Capitals are interested,” Friedman said. “Do you remember when Josh Gorges was going to be traded from Montreal to Toronto and he refused to go? Yeah, he said I can’t do that. I think that’s a very big thing here.

“I am not convinced that Fleury would be comfortable doing it,” Friedman added. “He’s still very much a Penguin and I think sometimes we underestimate how much passion there is in these rivalries. I do think the Capitals are very interested. I do think they’d love to do it. We have two months here, but I’m not convinced that Fleury would feel comfortable doing that at all.”

Elliotte Friedman

Honestly, I can't imagine Fleury playing for the Caps. Then again, flash back five years and I couldn't imagine him ever leaving the Penguins. Flash forward to last season and I couldn't imagine him ever leaving the Vegas Golden Knights. The point is that circumstances change and if Fleury feels that playing for the Caps is his best opportunity to win a Stanley Cup this post-season then he could perhaps change his mind. 

Honestly though, I'd love nothing more than to see a reunion between him and the Penguins. Tristan Jarry has been solid between the pipes for the Pens this season, but adding Fleury to the mix seems to be the secret ingredient behind the Penguins and their Stanley Cup runs... so why not give it one last shot and let him go out a hero?