If observers are looking for what could be plaguing the Pittsburgh Penguins early in this NHL season, they would do well to start by looking between the pipes.
Marc-Andre Fleury was drafted 1st overall by the Penguins in 2003. He came into the league being touted as the Penguins' savior in goal. He has been anything but.
Before I tear him completely to pieces, I will play the devil's advocate by suggesting the Pens' management mismanaged Fleury's development by throwing him to the wolves as an 18 year old rookie playing behind the worst defense in the league at the time. Fleury's initiation would have been better served by spending a few full years down in the AHL, adjusting slowly to the speedier forwards and more accurate shooters. Being thrown in and facing 40+ shots a night some nights did little to promote healthy confidence. But he's no longer an 18 year old. He has spent time during the lockout in the minors. He is no longer playing behind the league's worst defense (insert Maple Leafs joke here). While the Penguins may not be the tidiest team in their own end, they have come a long way since his first season. The Penguins have been considered a contender for the Cup...until Fleury has come crashing down.
Consider the fact that his backup, Dany Sabourin, has started in recent games and played well, and consider the fact that some days, Fleury's own coach won't discuss him. These are not promising signs for a goalie who is supposed to lead his team to the promised land.
Fleury's status as the number one in Pittsburgh is on thin ice, and well it should be. His statistics (3.50 GAA, .892 save percentage) are terrible, and that is amplified by the draft status under which he was picked. He's just not getting the job done.
The Penguins need to solidify their goaltending in a hurry. They have the capability to go a long way this season, but it's hard to play with confidence if they are playing on a mine field regarding their netminder.
What the Penguins are lacking is a veteran goaltender to calm their young star down. Someone who has been through the wars of the NHL for several seasons. Curtis Joseph would be an ideal candidate. He's stated he would be willing to accept a backup role, and should Fleury falter, Joseph is more than capable of taking the reigns for a few games. On a bad Coyotes team, he still had respectable stats. The Penguins would do well to pursue a free agent veteran such as Joseph to show Fleury the ropes. Until Fleury calms down and plays like a number one pick, the Penguins will never mount a serious challenge for the Stanley Cup.
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11 months ago
Lets not be too hasty. There were many who called Luongo, who was the highest ever drafted goalie in his own time, a bust. It took MANY years for Luongo to become the dominant tender he is today. Fleury has had his moments, and will take some time to development.
Have the Pens developed him in an optimal manner? No.
But he's still young and has plenty of up-side.
11 months ago
You obviously do not watch any Penguin Hockey games because it you did you would not have said Fleury came into the league being touted as the Penguins' savior in goal. HE HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT. tHAT IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE. May i remind you that he is still the youngest starting goalie in the nhl.
The penguins made the playoffs last year if you know that much about hockey. Crosby was not the main reason why they made the playoffs it was MARC ANDRE FLEURY who got the Penguins into the playoffs last year. Without Fleury the Penguins do not make the playoffs last year and any seasons in the future.
I do agree that Fleury has not played well thus far this season, but i guarentee he will turn it around and the Penguins will go deep into the playoffs this year and Crosby will get all the credit eventhough it should lie on the shoulders of Marc Andre Fleury
Next time before you go saying how bad Fleury is do some research and don't make rash judgements.
11 months ago
I will say Brad, that in my dealings with the Penguins broadcasts, I have heard more than once that Fleury was supposed to be the be-all, end-all solution in goal. His stats speak for themselves this season...he is simply incapable of making that timely save consistently enough to warrant the high status people want to give him.
11 months ago
I believe that he will still be the great goalie the Penguins envisioned when they selected him 1st overall in 2003. He still will make his stats this year great. Its too early for people to make the judgement that he is the biggest busts ever. He is only 22 yrs old and the youngest goalie in the NHL. Fleury always gets the judge as soon as he has a bad game, where Kari Lehtonen is having a horrrible season and he was 2nd overall in 2002. Though he does play for a bad team, but Fleury still would get the crap for being a bust. Marc andre fleury has been get lable as a bust since he was 19-20 yrs old. He started off rough this year so now he is getting lable again. Jordan Staal has one goal this year so far, so lets lable him a bust now to. Lets not forget that this is a big year for Fleury in trying to get a big contract and he seems to react after goals with putting a lot of pressure on himself and not as relax as in year past. I believe that will pass and the Penguins will still be a force in the playoffs this year. The Penguins players to me seem to try and open up the game more when Fleury is in net and get put out of position leading to good scoring oppurtunities opposed to when Sabourin is between the pipes.
11 months ago
Justin is right. Those stats aren't good for a legitimate No. 1 goalie. How many more years should a team wait for a No. 1 overall pick to be a star? Call him a bust. I disagree with Beezer for the simple fact that Luongo wasn't a first-overall pick. If Fleury continues to struggle, then his name should be linked to the likes of Daigle, et al.
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