ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) 鈥 The Minnesota Wild signed goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to a one-year, $2.5 million contract extension on Wednesday, bringing back the veteran for his age-40 season.
Fleury, who turns 40 on Nov. 28, has had a prolific season in which he behind Martin Brodeur on the 's all-time list in career goaltending wins. Brodeur (691) is still 130 ahead of Fleury, but don't expect him to stick with that long-shot pursuit.
鈥淚鈥檓 not doing this again,鈥 Fleury told reporters after practice. 鈥淣o, this is it."
Fleury is 17-14-5 with an .895 save percentage that is the lowest of his 20-year career, and his 2.98 goals against average is his worst in seven seasons, but his performance behind a depleted group of defenseman has belied his surface-level statistics. He has two shutouts for the Wild, who were eliminated from contention for the playoffs last week. They host Seattle on Thursday to conclude the regular season.
鈥淗e鈥檚 played so well for us this season it鈥檚 too soon for him to retire,鈥 Guerin said.
The Wild also have goalie Filip Gustavsson under contract for two more seasons on a $3.75 million salary cap charge and top prospect Jesper Wallstedt still waiting in the wings. Though Gustavsson's performance dropped off this season, Guerin said he sees no rush to move on to Wallstedt yet.
鈥淭he worst thing you can do is force somebody in,鈥 Guerin said.
The Wild acquired Fleury two years ago in a deadline-day trade with Chicago, and he鈥檚 50-32-9 with a 2.89 goals against average and a .903 save percentage in 96 appearances with 91 starts. This will be the first time in 18 years 鈥 since he was a 21-year-old with Pittsburgh 鈥 that Fleury won't make the playoffs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about winning, and it鈥檚 disappointing to miss playoffs," Fleury said. "That鈥檚 the one thing that鈥檚 top of my mind first about this year.鈥
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