Last Updated Mar 23, 2022, 6:17 AM
Last Updated Mar 23, 2022, 6:17 AM
Sports Betting Expert
There has been a lot of speculation regarding where Marc-Andre Fleury will end up over the last few weeks. Those questions were answered shortly before noon eastern on Monday, when the Minnesota Wild reportedly dealt a conditional first-round pick in this year’s NHL Draft to the Chicago Blackhawks for Fleury. Minnesota really needed an upgrade in net, and Fleury’s addition has made the Wild 20-1 to win the Stanley Cup.
Fleury was linked to the Western Conference leading Colorado Avalanche last week, but the Avalanche decided to stick with Darcy Kuemper. The Avalanche dealt their first-round pick in this year’s draft, a future pick, and Conor Timmins to Arizona for Kuemper, so they didn’t want to give up another premium pick for another goaltender.
Minnesota has been in need of a quality netminder though. The Wild are tied for third place in the Central Division, but they had one of the worst goaltender situations among contenders. Cam Talbot is carrying a 2.92 GAA and a .907 save percentage this season, and Kaapo Kahkonen wasn’t much better as the team’s backup. Talbot has been decent in the postseason with a 2.45 GAA and a .923 save percentage in 32 games, but Minnesota would rather take its chances with a player that has risen to the occasion in the past.
Mercurial might as well be Marc-Andre Fleury’s middle name. Fleury has had an up-and-down career, looking like the talent that led to the Pittsburgh Penguins taking him No. 1 overall in 2003 and floundering on other occasions.
He won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins and was the Vezina Trophy winner last season with a .928 save percentage and a 1.98 GAA with the Vegas Golden Knights. However, Vegas opted not to bring him back as a result of his age and some disappointing performances in the playoffs. In 162 playoff games, Fleury has a 2.53 GAA and a .912 save percentage.
The Wild have one of the most exciting young players in the NHL in Calder Trophy winner Kirill Kaprizov and a talented set of forwards alongside him. A reliable goaltender could make the Wild a nice bet at 20-1, but we have to see the good version of Fleury.
More sports
VI Info
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call, text or chat, our confidential and toll free helpline at: call 1-888-532-3500