The NHL may NEVER see this again

Marc-André Fleury, who kick started his career in Pittsburgh 21 years ago and helped bring the cup to the Penguins 3 times, was back in town for a reunion in what was his last game in Pittsburgh. It was another emotional one with the Penguins fans showing their love throughout the night. We also got an awesome save reminded me of the one he made back in 2009 to win the Stanley Cup. With him starting in his 1028th game last night though, I had the realization that we will probably never see this in the NHL again. The list is Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Patrick Roy and Marc Andre Fleury. That is the entire list of NHL goalies to have ever played in 1000+ career games. The 2 guys in the league today that you may think of as work horses who could get to 1,000 games would be Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg and Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa Bay. Helle is currently 31 and has played 512 games while Vasey is 30 and has played in 485 games. Fleury by comparison was already at 595 when he was just 30 years old. I truly think we are witnessing the last goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury who will ever accomplish this feat. As for the game, it was a great one that saw the Penguins once again go up by 2 goals just to throw away a lead and eventually have to push for a tie in the dying minute. I cover it all in todays NHL hockey video!

#hockey #nhl #highlights #pittsburghpenguins #minnesotawild

[charlie]

he’s the only reason i went to the game. i’m going to miss him 😢

[sheabrockhoff]

The flower is the last playing nhl goalie from the time period I grew up watching and started playing in the net. We are never going to see an era of goaltenders reaching the kind of milestones he’s achieved ever again. And it’s pretty wild.

[russell-dijs]

For any hockey player to garner so much love & respect universally from around the entire league shows what a fantastic net minder Marc has been but also what an amazing personality he has. To remain humble after so much success in a sport perceived as most macho shows what a special man we are dealing with. Merci Marc-Andre Fleury.

[NunyaBizness-zf]

Good god... 20 years already. I remember his rookie year

[NWADRVR]

MAF is a class act all around. As a husband, father, player, teammate, and participant in the community I don't think there's many that can match him. He's just a great all-around guy.

[rhyta]

Thanks for this, it really choked me up. Have always loved MAF, he's a class act and fun teammate to have. Glad he got a great sendoff from the Pens fans.

[BearableFred]

Ya really sucks being a pens fan right now but its nice to see crosby, malkin, letang, and fleury together to remind us of how fortunate we were as pens fans.

[hateEdge]

The three other goalies you mentioned we're also amazing to watch play. Flower is a one of a kind like roy, brodeur and luongo. I'm going to miss getting to see him play Merci Flower, Merci

[rosecitystud]

1, 028th game is actually perfect, it proves he SHOULD have played last time in Pittsburgh. Almost an asterisk

[andrewvoorhees]

Lucky to be a Wild fan and have this guy. He is such a class act. As someone who still plays soccer goalie at 54, much respect to Fleury for doing what he does at that level after so many seasons.

[TheOatmealGuy]

As a pens fan, I've missed him everyday since he's been gone.
He's the reason I'm a goalie, and I admire everything he's done for this sport.
Whether it was intentional or not.

[kevindelaney]

I’m old. He remains one of the greatest. I go back to the days of Jacques Plante.

[tas]

love this guy :) What a joy to watch regardless of who be plays for ! Will never forget him in net for the penguins. what a run. the picture of him crosby letang ( another beauty) malkin was just great ! the originals ! Penguin fans will never forget him and have shown that since he left ! i mean what a champ !! 7 yrs ago and they showed him yet again what he means to the pittsburgh faithful <3 gosh teary eyed at letang and crosby staying out for marc. My heart, Letang was his defensemen and he too is extraordinary <3 MAF will be missed I know this is tough for him you can tell, but better to go out healthy so he can live a long happy life with his family who has been waiting for him !! Cheers for posting this ! thanks

[hyperhockey]

He is such a funny guy that is so easy to love! I hope he has a great year to finish off a NHL season with so many great accomplishments. Atta be tendy!

[rickseiden]

One of the all time greats, and from what I've heard, a great guy and a great teammate.

[nigelcanuck]

Thanks so much for the classy tribute to one of the NHL's Class acts. Given the way teams platoon the position, I think this is the end of the Millennium Game Goalie Era!

[IronMeDen]

As a Caps fan, I hated how freaking good Fleury was when we faced the damn Pens. As a goalie myself, I can't hate on Fleury anymore though, what a legend!

[harackmw]

When you're reminded the game is all heart

[ClassifiedCookie]

As a Wild fan, I know how hard it is to play against him and see him go. Love the video man! Keep up the good work!

[KeithEngel]

The Penguins shared a video after the game of him cutting the net with Malkin, Letang, and Crosby as well as Fleury's family down there.