One of the more successful, yet underrated goaltenders in history, could be on the moves in hopes of getting the Toronto Maple Leafs back into the playoff, and hopefully Stanely Cup, glory.
Chicago Blackhawks netminder Marc-Andre Fleury has struggled since his Chicago debut giving the Blackhawks decent, not great, goaltending they had hoped for. They need to find a solution and that solution could be beneficial to both sides in the form of a divorce.
With Jack Campbell going down with an injury and Petr Mrazek struggling the Maple Leafs could use a starter. Fleury would fit that position perfectly but it would take work for Toronto and Chicago to get a deal done.
Yes Fleury is older and his best days may be behind him but he gives Toronto that playoff-tested goaltender that they are lacking and one that could very well take them past the second round.
Campbell and Mrazek have not played well recently but Fleury has put up solid numbers behind a not-sp-great Chicago defense. Toronto has a cap hit of only $91,292 and the roster limit is full at 23/23. The Maple Leafs are 23rd in the league with a team save % of .905 and the team GAA is at 3.05.
Needless to say, the defense and goaltending need a makeover to take Toronto past the first round. Fleury would be a huge upgrade considering he is a 3-time Stanley Cup champion and a 2020-21 Vezina Trophy winner. This season he is, in 43 games, 19-20-4 with a 2.92 GAA and a .908 save %.
For Toronto to get this done Chicago is going to want something for the future. The trade might involve Mrazek, a prospect, and a draft pick of some kind to get this done. With the Maple Leafs against the cap, Toronto could also send a roster player that has a similar cap hit to Fleury.