Vegas Golden Knights: Marc-Andre Fleury Update

The Vegas Golden Knights may be getting their undisputed number one starting goaltender back sooner rather than later.

Everyone knows how injured the Vegas Golden Knights goaltending depth was at the beginning of the season. Hell, they’ve even had to make an emergency call to Dylan Ferguson of the Western Hockey League. Let’s give a quick reminder of how bad this goaltending situation was:

Marc-Andre Fleury started the trend with a concussion versus the Detroit Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena back in October. Then it was Malcolm Subban overextending for a save ultimately pulling a  hamstring/groin against the St. Louis Blues. Finally, it was Oscar Dansk who fell awkwardly going post to post in a game battling the Islanders, and we still don’t know a timeline on his status

Maxime Lagace has nursed the way through much of this season playing the most games in the Golden Knights crease. However, with Subban back in the fold, that will give fans, players, and coaches a sigh of relief. But before Vegas took on Arizona last night, general manager George McPhee issued an update on Fleury’s status at the teams morning skate.

McPhee says Fleury has passed the neuropsychology test and he’s in the “return to play” protocol. He has been skating with goaltending coach Dave Prior, and he’s also taking shots as well. If all goes well and there are no setbacks, then Fleury will return to full contact practice with the team. However, it’s unknown when he’ll return to full in-game action.

This is significant news for the Golden Knights. Getting back a number one goaltender from a long-term injury is a pretty substantial boost to an already decent hockey club. Don’t get me wrong, Subban has held down the fort and done a great job in net. But this is Fleury’s team, and he’ll give them a shot to win now and for the foreseeable future.

Fans forget Fleury is one of the most exciting goalies in the league, and he’s won three Stanley Cups. The Sorel, Quebec native is 3-1-0 on the year with a GAA of 2.48, and a save percentage of .925. He’ll be a big piece to the puzzle of the success of the Vegas Golden Knights if they want to make the playoffs.

McPhee also gave small updates on Dansk, David Perron, and William Carrier. McPhee said Perron is skating and he hopes that he returns to game action later this week. Meanwhile, Dansk and Carrier are still nowhere close to returning to the team.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights: Reilly Smith Plays Hero VS Coyotes.

With the return of Fleury approaching, the Vegas Golden Knights will have something to look forward to shortly. But for now, they seem to be just fine with Subban in net. The goaltending duo of Fleury and Subban could be one of the Golden Knights biggest strengths heading into the second half of the season. Something that we would never have said in October.