Pittsburgh Penguins 2011 Season Grades: Marc-Andre Fleury

Today, I'll start handing out season grades for every Pittsburgh Penguins player.

Grading scale: The grading scale will range from A+ down through F, with half grades (+/-) included.

The players will be graded on their overall season performance, as well as how they performed compared to their potential, talent level, and expectations.

We'll start in the back with a bang, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

Talk about a turn around.

It took Fleury over a month (November 12) to earn his second win of the season.

In his first eight starts in the, Fleury allowed 25 goals on 170 shots, for a horrific .853 save percentage.

Allowing well over 3.2 goals per game, Fleury was benched for a stretch of time in favor of backup Brent Johnson, who was playing the best hockey of his career.

On November 6th at Phoenix, Fleury was pulled after allowed two goals on five shots to open the game.

I remember reading all over the internet that Marc-Andre Fleury was the most overrated and overpaid player in the NHL. "Fans" all over Pittsburgh called for his head, thanks to his horrendous start to the season.

Fortunately for Fleury, that night would mark the end of his troubles.

Brent Johnson would get the team's next start, but a poor performance (6 GA on 32 shots) from the 34-year-old would open the door for Fleury once again, and that's all the young netminder needed.

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