FILE - In this May 15, 2014, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury listens to a reporter's question at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.The Associated Press
There is usually a convenient scape goat attached to every important NHL playoff pratfall and, for years, No. 1 on the goat-horn parade in Pittsburgh was goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
Fleury did have two terrible playoffs over the past seven seasons, and you can firmly pin that 2012 first-round loss on him – a 4.63 goals-against average in six games as they lost a crazy high-scoring series to cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers.
But to blame all of Pittsburgh's recent playoff struggles on Fleury doesn't mesh with reality – and last year, losing to the New York Rangers after leading 3-1 in the series had as much to do with Sidney Crosby playing with a bad wrist as it did Fleury's work in goal, which was solid.
Pittsburgh was approaching a crossroads with Fleury in goal. He was in the final year of a seven-year $35-million contract signed back in 2008 and will turn 30 later this month. The No. 1 player chosen in the star-studded 2003 draft, Fleury won a Stanley Cup with the 2009 Penguins and was spectacular the previous year when they fell to the Detroit Red Wings in the final (posting a career-best 1.97 goals-against average, the playoff leader in wins with 14 and shutouts with three).
So Fleury's resume isn't all bad, a point that the new Penguins' general manager Jim Rutherford has reiterated since he took over the team and reinforced with the decision Wednesday to sign him to a four-year, $23 million contract extension.
The new deal, which kicks in next year, pays him $5.75-million per season, which is exactly the same dollar amount as he made last year and this year. It is also reasonable compensation for a goaltender that perennially challenges for the NHL lead in wins every season.
That, by the way, counts for something.
Since his breakthrough season in 2006-07, Fleury has won 35 games or more in every year except the lockout shortened 2012-13 (when he won 23 games in 33 appearances) and in 07-08 when he was limited to 35 appearances, but went 19-10-2. His regular-season body of work is excellent, in other words.
Usually, the prepared statements that accompany player signings are filled with bland boiler-plate blah blah blah, so the fact that Rutherford actually said something meaningful in announcing the deal was telling.
"I believe in Marc-Andre Fleury, as does the team," said Rutherford, and you can be sure he didn't arrive at this decision, without sticking a needle of truth serum into the arms of his core players and assessing how they really, truly assessed Fleury's work in goal.
The fact that the answers came back positive – that his teammates in the dressing room have faith in him, even in a climate of doubt – largely accounts for Wednesday's signing.
Fleury will never satisfy the questions about his ability to win in the playoffs until he actually does it again. But the fact the Penguins signed him early, thus eliminating any questions about where he'll be tending goal next season, is undoubtedly good for him psychologically – and by extension, will be good for the team as well.
Rutherford, as a former NHL goaltender, is well versed in how the position is scrutinized in some markets, and how important it is for an organization to show confidence in their starter.
"He's won before and he will win again," predicted Rutherford. The Penguins can only hope that's true.