In Toronto, it seems that fans are unsure if they can trust the Maple Leafs’ goaltending, especially with the high hopes of a longer run into the postseason. As we’ve seen in the past weeks, the goaltending tandem of starter Jack Campbell and backup Petr Mrazek is not getting the job done and it might be time, with less than a month to go prior to the trade deadline, to acquire better help in between the pipes. We’ve seen the chatter about adding a boost up front and getting more solid on the backend, but it might be time to fix things in net.
And the more insiders and pundits talk about it, the more fans are wondering how could come help on the trade market and of course the name of Chicago Blackhawks’ Marc-Andre Fleury comes up.
It’s been made clear that Flower won’t be on the move unless he asks to be traded. The beloved goalie has a 10-team no-trade clause, but if he does request a trade, the Hawks won’t send him somewhere he doesn’t want to go, which has to be a relief for the veteran net minder.
Recent reports have indicated that Flower is not interested in joining the Washington Capitals, who have been in the mix to acquire him because he would not be comfortable coming to Washington in a trade because he is “still very much a Penguin.”
The Edmonton Oilers were rumoured to be in the mix, though it is believed that Flower does not consider them enough of a contender to accept a trade to Edmonton. After the Capitals, this would be the second time Fleury rejects a potential trade ahead of the deadline.
And now fans are suggesting trade proposals to bring Fleury to Toronto, reminding the Hawks that they once took a close look at forward Ilya Mikheyev and even goalie Mzarek in the past.
Could they be pieces Chicago would look into to make a trade with the Maple Leafs. Sure he is worth a lot of money, but there is belief that Toronto might put Jake Muzzin on long-term injury. The Leafs would save up $7M in cap room and we know the Blackhawks could retain salary of Flower.
It could work. But would Fleury want to come to Toronto and does he consider them strong enough contenders to make yet another move?
