Jim Rutherford is making Marc-Andre Fleury's satisfaction a priority.
The Pittsburgh Penguins general manager will stay in touch with his veteran goaltender over the next few weeks to gauge Fleury's level of happiness ahead of the March 1 trade deadline.
“The one thing I'll have to watch for and keep the lines of communication open with the player is, is he OK with the situation that he's in?” Rutherford told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Jonathan Bombulie.
Fleury lost his starting job to Matt Murray last spring but appeared content serving in the No. 2 role as the Penguins won the Stanley Cup. Murray has essentially remained the starter when healthy this season, and he's justified the new hierarchy with his largely steady play.
“Going back to last year and to this point in time, (Fleury) has handled it like a true pro," Rutherford continued. "No issues at all. It may play out that we may be able to go right through having two top goalies on our team. We just have to keep an eye on what direction Marc(-Andre) wants to go here in the next few weeks.”
Rutherford said in the summer and into the fall that his goal was to keep both goalies, and he's not altering that now.
“Our priority here is to win,” he said. “My preference hasn't changed. Go back to training camp. My preference is to keep both these goalies here this year.”
Fleury has a measure of control over his future, wielding a limited no-trade clause that can prevent a deal to 12 NHL clubs.
He also has a $5.75-million cap hit. The pro-rated remainder is still owed this season, along with the full amount over both of the next two campaigns before he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019.
Fleury's agent, Allan Walsh, told Bombulie on Thursday that he had no comment on what Fleury's decision will be.
And whether the goaltender opts to remain or desires an opportunity to play elsewhere, Rutherford wants to do the right thing.
“We want to respect what he's done,” the GM said. “He has won two Stanley Cup (championships) here, has been a popular player not only within the organization but with the fans. He deserves to be respected properly, and that's what we're trying to do.”
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