MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The Wild has added some much-needed goalkeeping help through trade, taking over Marc-André Fleury from the Chicago Blackhawks.
The team announced the transaction Monday afternoon. It will send a conditional first round draft pick to Chicago for the 37-year-old goalkeeper.
March showers bring Wild Flowers pic.twitter.com/woOicumZck
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 21, 2022
Also on Monday, the Wild announced a trade that sent backup goalkeeper Kaapo Kahkonen and a fifth round pick to the San Jose Sharks for defender Jacob Middleton.
TRADE
We acquired Jacob Middleton from the San Jose Sharks. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/e3GHthutim
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 21, 2022
Fleury conceded 129 goals in his first season with the Blackhawks and has a save rate of 0.908. In 2021 he won the Vezina Trophy with the Vegas Golden Knights – awarded to the best goalkeeper in the competition.
The Wild’s top two goalkeepers – Cam Talbot and Kahkonen – have averaged 2.92 and 2.87 goals per game this season, respectively. Fleury conceded 2.95 goals per game, but a year ago that figure was one full goal lower (1.98).
Minnesota is currently 36-20-4, good for third place in the Central Division.