Marc-Andre Fleury is going to Chicago, the Golden Knights are not withholding any salary and all this, in return for... nothing (Mikael Hakkaraine, a minor league player). Hakkaraine, 23, has no points in 14 career games with the Rockford IceHogs. The Knights need to trim their payroll, so getting rid of Flower's $7 million cap hit was the perfect option.
The 36-year-old netminder may not join the Hawks however, and instead announce his retirement, according to his agent Allan Walsh: "While Marc-André Fleury has yet to hear from the Vegas Golden Knights, he has apparently been traded to Chicago. Marc-André will take the time to discuss his situation with his family and seriously evaluate his future in field hockey at this time."
Flower, who has given his all to this organization, has been the face of this club since its inception and has sold a ton of jerseys featuring his likeness, learned of this news via Twitter. Sorry? A lack of class from the franchise, getting rid of its greatest leader in this way. Come on!
The winner of the last Vézina trophy has reached a few plateaus in his career. He has 501 wins, which puts him third in history in this category. In front of him, we find Martin Brodeur and the great Patrick Roy, which is no mean feat. Add to that the fact that number 29 boasts three Stanley Cup rings.
Anyway, it saddens me to hear that Fleury found out about this via social media. It's ordinary, even VERY ordinary.
