With the Las Vegas expansion draft looming over the Penguins' crease, and the team all but guaranteed to protect young netminder Matt Murray, Fleury's days in the Steel City are no doubt on borrowed time.
But that hasn't stopped Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford from denying the inevitable.
In May, the veteran GM said that Fleury was "absolutely not" done in Pittsburgh, despite the strong play of youngster Murray.
Then in October, Rutherford moved the dial, his stance then that he wanted to let the situation play out, and that Fleury was not "automatically out."
But most recently, after entering the season with the Fleury-Murray duo, the message has yet again changed, with Rutherford admitting that the tandem has "not met his expectations."
Fleury, owner of a modified no-movement clause, is protected from the Vegas expansion draft, but the same contract protection does not prevent a move to 12 other clubs. In other words, it's either Vegas, should Fleury waive it, or one of a dozen mystery boxes for the two-time Stanley Cup winner.
For Fleury, the past looks good. But on the ice this season, his performance hasn't left rival GMs diving for their phones. Meanwhile, Murray continues to shut the door, boasting a .935 save percentage, 1.93 goals-against average, and just two losses on the season. Fleury or Murray? It's an obvious choice for the Penguins, and one likely already made but not publicly admitted.
Through 18 games, Fleury has come away with a winning record, but the supporting numbers aren't nearly as hot. His .900 save percentage is the worst it's been in more than a decade, when he posted an .898 showing in 2005-06.
It gets worse. The only year that touches his ugly 3.42 GAA - more than a full point above any of his last nine seasons - is the 2003-04 campaign, when a teenage Fleury was thrown into the league, making his NHL debut and posting a 3.64 GAA in the process.
By comparison, 27 goaltenders this season have played in as many or more games than Fleury. All but Dallas' Kari Lehtonen own a better save percentage. Even Los Angeles' Peter Budaj (.907), the AHL castoff who is holding down the fort for the Kings. The entire group, including Lehtonen, has a better GAA.
Such a performance, tied to the fact that Fleury is owed a $5.75-million cap hit over the next two seasons, makes him a difficult sell.
In what is surely his last year in Pittsburgh, Fleury has not made it one to remember. A fresh start could be the perfect remedy to fix the ailing goaltender, and whether that's in Vegas or elsewhere is up to Rutherford to decide.
Giving Timo Meier his first taste of the National Hockey League will come at a price for San Jose Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer.
The club's first-round pick in 2015 will play his first game against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night, but in turn, veteran forward Joel Ward will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season.
"There’s no easy way. Those aren’t easy conversations," DeBoer said, according to Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News. "He’s a proud guy. He’s a great player and he’s a great teammate and he was a key guy for us last year on the run. Those aren’t easy and we don’t take them lightly. But those are the decisions we have to make."
After contributing 21 goals and 43 points last season, Ward has been unable to replicate his stellar campaign, with just two goals and nine points in 30 games. Meanwhile, Meier has been dominant in his first AHL season, amassing nine goals and 15 points in 17 games with the San Jose Barracuda.
"He deserves to be up here, he’s played great in the American League and the whole organization high on him," DeBoer said. "Just want him to get through his first game without feeling too nervous. Jump in with both feet and go to work. He’s a good player. He belongs up here."
The Sharks will be looking to remain perfect on their current road trip, having already collected wins against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators.
The Detroit Red Wings goaltenders are ringing in the holidays with festive new masks.
As they did last season, Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek will be donning Christmas-themed helmets throughout the month of December. This year's versions feature a gingerbread man and Will Ferrell's character Buddy from "Elf."
After its proposal to host an outdoor game at Parliament Hill was denied, the Ottawa Senators moved on to the possibility of a game held at TD Place Stadium, home of the CFL's Redblacks.
Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has continued discussions about an outdoor game, and on Friday met with Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, operator of the stadium.
According to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch, Melnyk is "confident" that the two sides will reach an agreement to host an outdoor game.
Melnyk on chances of outdoor game: “We're hoping it can happen. The fact that it's not on Parliament Hill, I'm still scratching my head.”
The Senators hope to host the game in December 2017, as part of the city's 100-year celebration, as well as 100 years since the first NHL game in Ottawa played by the original franchise, and 25 years since the Senators rejoined the NHL in 1992.
Rewind to one season ago, and this assertion appeared to be weak. A disappointing 10 goals and 33 points in 63 games with the Carolina Hurricanes and an even more pitiful three goals and three assists in 20 games with the New York Rangers left the impression that Staal could no longer keep up in the NHL.
Well, get those thoughts out of your head, as the 32-year-old has found the fountain of youth in Minnesota.
Through 29 games this season, the newest member of the Wild has rekindled his lethal scoring touch.
With another two goals against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night, Staal pushed his season total to nine - one back of the team lead and just four shy of matching last year's total.
Meanwhile, his 22 points pace the Wild, his four game-winning goals are twice as much as the next-highest total on the club, and his 84 shots are far and away a team high.
Staal's new home and renewed scoring touch has him set to have his best season in years. At his current pace, he would eclipse the 25-goal mark, which would be his highest total since the 2010-11 campaign. He's also set to post 62 points this season, which would be his best single-season total since 2011-12.
Of course, it certainly helps to center both the team's top line and power-play contingent.
Coming off two straight seasons of regressed point production, Staal looks to be rebounding. New scenery, a new coach, and more skilled linemates are likely all factors.
After looking like his time could be limited in the league, the eldest Staal brother is back to firing at a clip we have grown accustomed to during his glory years as Hurricanes captain, and there appears to be no slowing him down.
Marincin has been out of the lineup the last three games as the team awaited his diagnosis. He sustained the injury in Saturday's victory over the Boston Bruins.
Marincin has appeared in 16 games with the Maple Leafs this season, tallying one goal and four assists. He sits fourth among Toronto defensemen, averaging 18:02 in ice time.
The Ottawa Senatorsannounced Friday that the club will unveil a Ring of Honor to recognize key figures in the team's history, with former coach and general manager Bryan Murray as its first inductee.
Currently senior hockey advisor with the Senators, Murray was the coach in Ottawa from 2005 to 2007, plus an 18-game stint as interim head coach in 2008. Through 182 games behind the bench, Murray posted a 107-55-20 record and, in 2007, he led the Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Anaheim Ducks.
Murray, who served as GM of the Senators from 2007 to the end of last season, before moving into an advisory role, will be inducted Jan. 24, prior to the Senators home game against the Washington Capitals.
The Ring of Honor will include an in-arena display on pillars in the 300 level of the Canadian Tire Centre. Future inductees, as chosen by the Ottawa Senators Player Honoring Committee, will be located on subsequent pillars.
"Bryan Murray's distinguished career places among the finest executives in NHL history, not only as coach and general manager, but as a leader and mentor," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement. "I could not be more excited to announce Bryan as the first member of the Ottawa Senators Ring of Honour, a lasting tribute where our fans, both present and future, can be reminded of Bryan's many contributions to our team, our city and our community."
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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Friday, Dec. 16 (all advanced stats are at 5v5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):
Triple Threat
C Jack Eichel (49K), LW Matt Moulson (37K), RW Kyle Okposo (62K), Sabres (vs. Islanders): The Islanders have the NHL's second-highest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) and allow the second-most SCA60 (scoring chances against per 60 minutes). They will also be playing their second game in as many nights and are just 2-7-1 on the road. Expect extra motivation from former Islanders Moulson and Okposo.
C Evgeni Malkin (60K), RW Phil Kessel (49K), D Justin Schultz (25K), Penguins (vs. Kings): The Kings are a stout defensive team, but Peter Budaj has been shaky between the pipes lately, posting an .861 SV% in his last five games. Malkin, Kessel and Schultz have 11, 10 and 11 points, respectively, during Pittsburgh's seven-game winning streak. Schultz will see an expanded role with Kris Letang out.
C Nathan MacKinnon (65K), LW Gabriel Landeskog (48K), RW Rene Bourque (27K), Avalanche (vs. Panthers): The Panthers, like the Islanders and the Kings, will be playing in back-to-back games. Since Roberto Luongo started Thursday, James Reimer (.896 SV%) will likely get the call between the pipes Friday. The Avs have scored three or more goals in four of their last five games.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Braden Holtby (75K), Capitals (at Hurricanes): Holtby's numbers this season are even better than they were during his 2015-16 Vezina-winning campaign, so it's quite shocking he is priced at the minimum against a non-explosive offense like Carolina.
BARGAIN - Ben Bishop (75K), Lightning (at Canucks): Bishop is choosing the wrong year to have his worst season in Tampa Bay, as he is a free agent at the end of the 2016-17 campaign. Nonetheless, he should be able to turn in a fine performance against the Canucks, who own the ninth-lowest xGF60 (expected goals for per 60 minutes) in the NHL.
FADE - Calvin Pickard (101K), Avalanche (vs. Panthers): Pickard has allowed 15 goals in his last five games. He does not have the pedigree to be priced this high.
CONTRARIAN - Carey Price (96K), Canadiens (vs. Sharks): Most Squad Up players will opt to go with one of the 75K goalies, such as Holtby, Bishop or Sergei Bobrovsky, so Price may have low ownership - especially with a matchup against the Sharks. The best goaltender on the planet is always capable of stealing the show, and 96K won't expose the rest of your lineup.
Bargain Plays
C Sam Gagner (25K), Blue Jackets (at Flames): Less is more for Sam Gagner. He is playing a career low 13:38 per game, but he is on pace for for a career-high 65 points, which would shatter the previous best mark of 49 points he set as an 18-year-old rookie.
D Justin Schultz (25K), Penguins (vs. Kings): Schultz has five goals and seven assists in his last eight games. With Letang sidelined, he will likely fill in on a power-play unit featuring Malkin, Kessel and Sidney Crosby.
LW Conor Sheary (33K), Penguins (vs. Kings): Sheary has nine points in his last eight games. Though he is not a member of the top power-play unit, he is on the second, and plays on Crosby's line at 5v5.
Top Fades
LW Patrick Marleau (45K), Sharks (at Canadiens): Marleau should just call it a career. He is failing to produce offensively and his matchup with Carey Price and the Habs doesn't warrant a mid-tier salary.
LW Loui Eriksson (48K), Canucks (vs. Lightning): What a poor free-agent signing Eriksson was. He was just 12 points in 30 games and has blown his shot at playing with the Sedins.
RW Sebastian Aho (53K), Hurricanes (vs. Capitals): Aho is having a solid rookie season with 14 points in 29 games but with less than half a point per game and zero track record, he does not warrant a mid-tier salary.
Contrarian Options
D Shea Weber (42K), Canadiens (vs. Sharks): Weber has gone point-less in seven straight games, so his ownership will be down. Yet, at just 42K, he is capable of returning substantial value even if he can just pick up an assist considering how many shots, hits and blocks he records.
C Ryan O'Reilly (69K), Sabres (vs. Islanders): O'Reilly will have low ownership with centers like Crosby, Malkin and his own teammate Jack Eichel coming with more affordable salaries. However, O'Reilly might be one of the most underrated players in the game. He has five points in his last four games and the Islanders are a dumpster fire away from home.
LW Daniel Sedin (64K), Canucks (vs. Lightning): Daniel Sedin is a much more reliable fantasy contributor than Henrik because he is a shooter. He has strung together three goals and three assists in his last six games and the Canucks have actually been half-decent at home (8-5-1).
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Stats as of Thursday, December 15 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey.
Buy-low on Jake Allen
Allen's .906 SV% and 2.52 GAA are mediocre at best. This can be your main negotiating tactic, as his owner may be willing to move him since there are many goalies capable of putting up these types of numbers. Despite the poor stats, he still has a record of 14-6-3.
What has hurt Allen this season are his road numbers. He has a .932 SV% and a 1.79 GAA at home, but an .879 SV% and a 3.35 GAA away from home. Considering he performed just fine outside of St. Louis the past two seasons, expect him to put his road woes behind him soon.
Head coach Ken Hitchcock's defensive-minded system has always been friendly to goaltenders - just look at how Brian Elliott is performing without him. The Blues allow the fifth-fewest SCA60 (scoring chances against per 60 minutes) at 5v5. Allen will be just fine.
Take what you can get for Radim Vrbata
Vrbata is having a nice bounce-back season in his second go-around with the Coyotes. He has eight goals and 11 assists thus far, but don't expect it to last. His 1.27 iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes) at 5v5 is third-worst among forwards with at least five even strength goals.
In addition to Vrbata making great use of his few scoring chances, he plays for an absolutely awful team. Since he is on a one-year deal, he is almost a lock to get moved to a contender at the deadline but if that's the case he could wind up playing a lesser role on a deeper team. Try and deal the 35-year-old winger for a player with higher upside.
Sell-high on Kevin Shattenkirk
With seven goals and 14 assists, Shattenkirk ranks fourth in scoring among D-men. It's hard to imagine this lasting considering 13 of his 14 assists have been secondary helpers. A rate like this is completely unsustainable.
Shattenkirk plays the fewest minutes of any defenseman with at least 18 points. He has, and always will, play second fiddle to Alex Pietrangelo, who is also a right-handed shot and happens to be a superior all-around defender. Hitchcock's system doesn't do Shattenkirk any favors, either.
Scoop up Justin Schultz
Schultz was one of the most coveted college free agents when the Oilers signed him in 2012. He was personally recruited by all-time greats Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey to come to Edmonton, much to the disappointment of the other 25 NHL teams who were publicly trying to sign him.
Like many who have joined the Oilers with high expectations over the past decade, Schultz fizzled out in Edmonton and was traded to the Penguins for a third-round pick last season.
Joining an offensive juggernaut like the Pens is a perfect fit for an offensive-minded D-man. He has 17 points in 30 games this season, 12 of which have come in his last eight games. It wouldn't be surprising if he continued on this torrid pace considering he will play a larger role while Kris Letang is out.
Start your rebuild now in keeper leagues
It may be a tough pill to swallow, but if you're near the bottom of your league's standings, chances are you will not be winning the championship this season. In keeper leagues, now is the perfect time to get ahead of the rest of the cellar dwellers and begin your rebuild.
There are many different formats to keeper leagues, but essentially, start putting your top assets on the trade block if you won't be keeping them next season. If you're in a draft-position based keeper, try to acquire young, high-upside players who were drafted in the later rounds. In auction keepers, seek players who will be cheap to keep next season. Bottom-line is, acquire young talent.
Trade for Andrei Vasilevskiy in keeper leagues
Perhaps the best foundation for building a successful keeper team in 12-team leagues is addressing the goaltending position. If Andrei Vasilevskiy's owner is in a position to contend this season, he will likely be willing to move the young netminder.
Vasilevskiy, 22, has slowed down after a hot start, posting an .861 save percentage in his last four games. This might be enough for his owner to part ways with him, considering how frustrating it is how he starts only once every three games or so..
Ben Bishop is on the last year of his contact. If he doesn't get moved before the deadline, Lightning GM Steve Yzerman will almost certainly let him walk. He is far too smart to pay Bishop considering Vasilevskiy is much younger, arguably better already and the upcoming expansion draft allows you to protect just one goalie. The crease will be all Vasilevskiy's come 2017-18.
Add Antoine Roussel in banger leagues
Roussel is a pest. He's an agitator. He's a goon. Some players might consider him dirty. These types of players don't usually scream fantasy relevant, but Roussel has been this season - in banger leagues at the very least.
Roussel is a godsend in leagues with hits, blocks and PIMs. He has 41 hits, 20 blocks and a league-leading 85 PIMs. In addition to what he brings to the table in these secondary stats, Roussel is on pace for career highs in goals, assists and ice time. He is no stranger to providing sprinkles of offense, tallying at least 13 goals in each of the past three seasons.
Roussel is only 27 years old, so it's reasonable to believe he has been making strides offensively. Lindy Ruff seems to think so, considering he is skating on the second line. The analytics also agree, as eight of his 11 assists have been primary helpers and he is getting 3.22 iSCF60.
Pick up Marian Gaborik
Gaborik is now 34 years old with a long history of injuries, but there's reason to believe there is still something left in the tank. He leads the NHL with 7.39 iSCF60 at 5v5. He also plays on a line with C Anze Kopitar, which can't hurt. Pick him up in hopes of catching fire in a bottle.
Give up on Patrick Sharp
Sharp's days of being fantasy relevant may be drawing to a close. He has just one goal and one assist in 11 games this season and is trapped on Dallas' third line. Do your best to trade him, but if players like the aforementioned Schultz, Roussel or Gaborik are on the waiver wire, don't hesitate to drop Sharp if you're unable to make a deal.
Holland was dealt to the Arizona Coyotes last week after requesting a trade following a string of healthy scratches. Now defenseman Frank Corrado has broken his silence, having found himself in a similar situation.
"It’s frustrating now," Corrado said, according to Dave Alter of The Athletic. "When you don’t get to play for a month and a half, and you’ve played in one game all year, it takes its toll on you mentally … Yeah, you’re in the NHL. It’s not that the novelty has worn off; it’s just that it’s time to play. It’s time to have a career. I feel like the more I’m not playing, that’s food off my table. That’s kind of the way I see it right now."
After being claimed off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks last season, the 23-year-old appeared in just 39 games with Toronto. After working hard to get in game shape this offseason, Corrado admits it's been extremely disheartening to have only suited up for one contest this year.
"Everyone on our back end gets a chance to play except me," Corrado said. "I’d love to play. I had a good camp. I put on 10 pounds in the summer. I sacrificed a lot to earn a job here when there might not have been one for me. I’m sure Holly’s situation was similar in ways, but for me, it’s really frustrating right now."
Corrado has spoken with general manager Lou Lamoriello, who insists that he wants him to stick with the team. In the meantime, Corrado believes what's holding him back is that head coach Mike Babcock doesn't like him, a notion Babcock shot down following the team's 3-2 shootout loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.
"I’m disappointed he feels that way. If you think me liking you has anything to do with whether you play or don’t play, you’re missing the boat big time," said Babcock. "I love the guys and I’m hoping for all of them that they do well. Whether you go in the lineup or not is based on how you play, period, nothing personal. It becomes personal and it’s just unfortunate that he feels that way. It’s too bad. We talk quite a bit and we’ll talk again. As a young guy he’s frustrated, he had his chance with the media today and that’s life."
So for now, it appears Corrado must wait - barring an exit similar to Holland's.
