Rumor: Fleury headed up to Canada in potential trade?

If there's one story that seems to have been forgotten amongst all of the news coming out of the Chicago Blackhawks organization these days, it's that reigning Vezina Trophy winner Marc Andre Fleury appears to be on the move.

Fleury, of course, as acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights by now disgraced GM Stan Bowman this past offseason for... well... for nothing actually. Bowman somehow managed to get Fleury on his roster by essentially giving up nothing. Flash forward a few months though and Fleury may be on his way out of the Windy City already.

The Blackhawks have been abysmal so far this season, but Fleury can hardly be blamed for that. It's true that he sports a dreadful 3.81 goals against average and .892 save percentage in nine games to start the season, but let's not forget that this is a guy who put up a sparkling 1.98 goals against average and .928 save percentage with a competent defence in front of him last season. 

NHL insiders Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and Chris Johnston of TSN have both reported that interim Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson is working the phones in an effort to give Fleury a fresh start elsewhere and don't be surprised if the man they call Flower ends up north of the border. 

“I think that they (Oilers) understand what this season means. I see them trading for a (defenseman) before the deadline and I see them getting another goaltender and that goaltender might be the reigning Vezina Trophy winner.”

- Chris Johnston, TSN

Both Friedman and Johnston have separately reported that Fleury could be a fit for the Pacific Division leading Edmonton Oilers and... well... why wouldn't he be? Veteran Mike Smith has been limited due to injury this season and backup Mikko Koskinen has never really inspired confidence, even if his numbers aren't half bad this season. Veteran Alex Stalock is also with the club, but he's on long-term injury reserve. No doubt Fleury would give this team some real stability between the pipes.

The sticking point, of course, is Fleury's $7 million salary. The Oilers would likely need to get rid of Koskinen and his $4.5 million salary, which could be tricky given that he has a 10 team no-trade clause thanks to former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli.