Marc-Andre Fleury returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins practice ice on Friday, this time as one of their own. The 40-year-old goaltender has signed a professional tryout contract with the team and is set to play one period of a preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena, a ceremonial cap to a 21-season NHL career that began in Pittsburgh.
Less than a year ago, Fleury skated at the same UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex as a visiting member of the Minnesota Wild. On Friday, he stepped out in bright yellow pads reminiscent of his early days, drawing cheers from a crowd of roughly 800. Longtime teammates Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang joined him on the ice, along with Bryan Rust, as Fleury eased into drills and faced a steady stream of shots. The crowd reacted to nearly every move.
Fleury’s Legacy with the Penguins
Fleury joined the Penguins on Sept. 12 with the intention of finishing where his NHL journey started. Selected first overall in the 2003 NHL Draft, he won three Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh (2009, 2016, 2017) before being taken by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. He later played for Chicago and Minnesota.
The veteran enters the weekend as the second-winningest goalie in NHL history with a record of 575-339-95, two ties, and 1,051 games played, trailing only Martin Brodeur in both wins (691) and appearances (1,266). He sits tied for 10th on the League’s all-time shutouts list with 76, matching Tony Esposito and Ed Belfour.
Fleury dominates the Penguins’ goaltending record book with franchise highs in wins (375) and games played (691). His 2.58 goals-against average is the lowest in team history, and his .912 save percentage ranks tied for second (minimum 100 games) with Casey DeSmith, behind Matt Murray (.914).
For years, Fleury was considered part of Pittsburgh’s core alongside Crosby, Malkin and Letang, and his return underscored that bond. The reception reflected not only his numbers but also the impact he made over 13 seasons in Pittsburgh and his role in the team’s championship era.
Fleury indicated that the tryout is about closing the circle. After finishing last season with Minnesota, he was mindful of acknowledging that chapter while embracing the chance to end his career where it began. He has made clear this is the final stop, noting that while his love for the game hasn’t faded, the grind has taken its toll.
The Penguins and their fans will get one more look on Saturday, a brief but fitting sendoff for a franchise cornerstone.