There is a possibility of Marc-Andre Fleury joining the Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers continue to struggle with inconsistent goaltending, and as the season unfolds, the urgency for a solution grows. While GM Stan Bowman has several more conventional options to shore up the crease, a truly far-fetched but intriguing possibility has emerged: Marc-Andre Fleury coming out of retirement , according to team insider Allan Mitchell of the Athletic.

“I’ve mentioned Marc-Andre Fleury as an option in the past. There’s zero hint he plans a return to the NHL, but Bowman should keep tabs on him and make an offer if and when Fleury changes his mind,” Mitchell wrote.

Fleury, who retired at the end of last season after 21 NHL campaigns, briefly returned to the ice in a preseason game with the Pittsburgh Penguins in a symbolic full-circle moment to close his storied career. Since then, most insiders agree he’s unlikely to lace up again. Yet, there’s always a sliver of hope for a team desperate for stability in net. Chris Johnston noted earlier in the season that injuries and other unforeseen circumstances often prompt teams to seek veteran goaltenders midseason and with the solid performance Flower offered in September, he will most likely get some phone calls.

Even if Fleury’s recent numbers weren’t stellar, he posted a goals-against average just shy of 3.00 and a save percentage under .900 over the past two seasons, his experience, leadership, and attitude remain highly valued. For a struggling team like the Oilers, a veteran presence in goal could provide a low-cost safety net while mentoring younger players. And for Fleury, it could be one final chance to chase another Stanley Cup.

During the summer, Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh, revealed that five teams had reached out to explore the possibility of luring him out of retirement. While most expect Flower to remain retired for the foreseeable future, Edmonton’s ongoing goaltending woes mean keeping tabs on him isn’t entirely out of the question.

In short, Fleury coming back might seem like a long shot but in the high-stakes, desperate world of NHL trades and moves, sometimes the wildest ideas are the ones that make the biggest difference. For Oilers fans, that hope, however slim, might be worth a second glance.