A day after his agent threw a match on a potential goalie controversy with a suggestive social media post, Marc-Andre Fleury tried to douse the flames.
In a media avail prior to the Vegas Golden Knights‘ Round 2 opener vs. the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, the veteran netminder told reporters that he asked Allan Walsh to take down the caption-less tweet featuring an edited image of Fleury with a sword in his back and Peter DeBoer’s last name etched on the blade, appearing to imply the three-time Stanley Cup winner had been betrayed by his head coach.
“I just wanted to say that Allan has been my agent for a long time. I’ve known him since I was 15. I really appreciate his passion for the game. I think it was a way to defend me for not playing much, but I’m here to win with my team,” he said, per The Athletic‘s Jesse Granger.
When asked by reporters if he knew Walsh was going to post the image Saturday, Fleury declined to answer.
Fleury said he met with DeBoer and general manager Kelly McCrimmon on Saturday and emphasized that he’s “here to win with my team.”
“Bottom line is we all want to win. That’s why we’re here. I don’t like being a distraction for my team,” said Fleury.
Sportsnet‘s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that the Golden Knights are satisfied this will not be an issue as they chase the Stanley Cup.
Fleury, 35, has made two post-season starts for the Golden Knights in 2020 — winning both with a 2.50 goals-against average and .886 save percentage — as the lion’s share of appearances have gone to trade-deadline acquisition Robin Lehner. Lehner, meanwhile, has compiled a 5-1 record with 2.44 GAA and .904 SV%.
“We all want to win, that’s why we’re here. I really like Robin. We have a good friendship and I think he’s a really good goalie also. There are no hard feelings,” said Fleury.
Fleury, who has been Vegas’ netminder since their expansion season when he led them to the Stanley Cup Final, is in the first year of a three-year, $21-million extension with the Golden Knights, while Lehner is slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the Stanley Cup Playoffs. DeBoer was hired by Vegas in January of this year, and is on a four-year deal with the club.
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