04/16/24
November 12, 2003
Impressive rookie goalie and 2003 first overall draft pick Marc-Andre Fleury may spend the rest of the season in the minors - his incentive laden contract is to blame. You gotta spare some pity for those fans in Pittsburgh who may have one of their bright spots taken away from them.
Mario Lemieux is the pity for the Pittsburgh fans... his only concern is dollar signs.
posted by kickerofelves at 11:13 AM on November 12, 2003
If this is a contract matter, it's a bad call. But if it is designed to give him experience with a team that won't get clobbered every night, I don't see anything wrong with it.
posted by 86 at 11:58 AM on November 12, 2003
Looks like Fleury is staying. A good move. The kid's the only chance, along with Lemieux, of having any butts in the seats at Mellon Arena this year.
posted by Succa at 01:09 PM on November 12, 2003
That franchise is doomed.
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:14 PM on November 12, 2003
I wondered what the half life on this thread was given that it was a developing story that came up yesterday. A couple of hours it would seem. Man, are these rookie contracts so out of control that teams would really be considering sending a star player down to avoid paying him?
posted by gspm at 02:27 PM on November 12, 2003
Man, are these rookie contracts so out of control that teams would really be considering sending a star player down to avoid paying him?
No, the Pen's are just that dumb. I know they opted not to send Fleurly down, but to even consider the move borders on stupidity.
In my opinion.
posted by lilnemo at 02:47 PM on November 12, 2003
I hope he stays and I hope he prospers (not just because he's on my fantasy team!), but I feel bad for the guy, and he really does not need that kind of abuse in Pittsburgh. The guy's a teenager, and he's thrown into the number on position on a team that regularly gives up 40 shots or more (and most of those are pretty good shots!), and can't score. The guy needs a serious break and some good mentoring -- which he can't get there anyway as the other goalie is also a youngster. They should just move the Pens into the AHL -- without Lemieux and Fleury (and now Fata is injured), they're absolutely attrocious.
posted by mkn at 08:17 PM on November 12, 2003
I'm with Sammy. Pittsburgh is doomed. Unless they get Alexander Ovechkin in the Draft, still suck but hang on for anothr 2 years and then get Sidney Crosby. Somebody link those names.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:53 AM on November 13, 2003
I'm curious about his GAA in third periods, because he looks exhausted and lets in softies in the final frame. It would be great to have another 'P.Roy 18-yr old breaking into the league' story, but this kid is gonna hit the wall before new years....and mentally, how many 6-goals-against games can an 18 year ego sustain?
posted by garfield at 10:59 AM on November 13, 2003
It's probably a smart long-term move for the club, assuming they'll be around in the long-term. While M-A Fleury gets some good developmental experience in the minors, Mario is still around to help ease the transition. His consistent production and stellar two-way pl.....(smack) I'm sorry, which team are we talking about? Oh. They're f-ed.