The Penguins have signed goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to a four year, $23 million contract, which will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2018-19 season. General Manager Jim Rutherford announced the contract extension on Wednesday. The contract will carry an average annual value of $5.75 million, a $750,000 raise over his current salary.
“I believe in Marc-Andre Fleury, as the team does,” said Rutherford in a statement. “He’s won before and he will win again. We’re very pleased to have him signed long term.”
Fluery, who will turn 30 later this month, was the team’s first round draft pick in the 2003 NHL entry draft. He has been the Penguins’ starting goaltender since 2005 and is the longest-tenured member of the team. Fleury holds the franchise goaltending records for games played, victories, shutouts, goals against average, and save percentage. He has a 295-171 record through his eleven seasons in Pittsburgh.
He led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2008 and 2009. Fleury has struggled recently in the postseason, with an .880 save percentage from 2010-2012 in the playoffs. That prompted the team to sign veteran backups Thomas Vokoun in 2012 and Thomas Greiss this year.
Through nine games this season, Fluery has a 7-2 record with a .931 save percentage. That mark, if it holds throughout the season, would be the best of his career. Fleury currently holds a 154:46 shutout streak, which he will take into Thursday night’s game in Winnipeg.
Photo Credit: NHL
