The Flower’s Final Farewell: Marc-Andre Fleury Gets His Pittsburgh Send-Off
Just when you thought the NHL offseason couldn’t get any more emotional, Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins pull a move straight out of a Hollywood script. Marc-Andre Fleury, the man affectionately known as “Flower,” is coming home. No, this isn’t a miraculous comeback story or a desperate attempt to fix the team’s goaltending woes—it’s something much better. The legendary netminder has signed a professional tryout contract, not to chase another season, but to say a final, proper goodbye to the city that made him.
Let’s be honest, the news hits you right in the feels. On September 27th, during a preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Fleury will don the black and gold one last time. He’ll even join practice the day before, probably flashing that iconic, infectious grin that could disarm a firing squad. For a player who gave his heart and soul to Pittsburgh for 13 seasons, this is the storybook ending fans have been dreaming of.
Why This Fleury Moment is More Than Just a Game
Sure, it’s just a preseason game. The outcome won’t matter, and he’ll likely only play a period or two. But this isn’t about the box score. This is about a city getting the chance to salute one of its most beloved sports figures. When Fleury was snatched up by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 expansion draft, it felt like a gut punch. He had just helped the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups, only to be deemed expendable. There was no parade, no final wave to the adoring crowd—just a business transaction that left a sour taste.
Now, that wrong is being righted. GM Kyle Dubas, in what might be his most popular move yet, summed it up perfectly:
“Marc means so much to our team, our fans and the City of Pittsburgh because of the person he is and the example he set.”
It’s a full-circle moment, a chance for a new generation of fans to see the legend in person and for the old guard to get a little misty-eyed remembering the glory days. This is the kind of feel-good story the NHL needs more of. It’s pure, it’s emotional, and it’s a masterclass in honoring a franchise icon.
Remembering the Legend of Number 29
It’s easy to forget just how dominant Marc-Andre Fleury was during his prime. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2003—a rare feat for a goaltender—he became the backbone of a dynasty. Alongside Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, he backstopped the Penguins to three Stanley Cups. His acrobatic, often frantic, style of play was both heart-stopping, amazing and brilliant. Who could forget “The Save” against Detroit in Game 7 of the 2009 Final? It was a moment etched in hockey history.
By the time he left Pittsburgh, his name was all over the team’s record books: most games played (691), most wins (375), and most shutouts (44). He played with Vegas, Chicago, and Minnesota, even snagging a Vezina Trophy in 2021, but he was, and always will be, a Penguin. His 575 career wins put him second all-time, trailing only Martin Brodeur. That’s not just good; that’s legendary.
Final Thoughts: Pittsburgh Did The Right Thing With Fleury
This one-night contract is more than just a publicity stunt, It’s a tribute for a legend. It’s a chance for the fans at PPG Paints Arena to roar for their Flower one more time, to chant his name and give him the send-off he so richly deserves. So, get your tissues ready. On September 27th, we’re all Pittsburgh Penguins fans.
