Sometimes, saying "goodbye" to someone you love and cherish can be the hardest part of life. You see your parent(s) on their deathbed as you look back at the fond memories you shared with them. That pet you've loved and spent time with since they were little has to be put down, leaving a vacant spot in your heart.
The Vegas Golden Knights had that feeling on Sunday when Marc-Andre Fleury and the Minnesota Wild came to town. The legendary goaltender is set to retire at the end of 2024-25, leaving a lasting legacy in the NHL. That included three Stanley Cups, 570 wins (second-most in NHL history), four All-Star appearances, and a Vezina Trophy.
Although he spent four seasons with the Golden Knights, he's carved out a solid career in Las Vegas, too. The 40-year-old has 117 wins, a GAA of 2.41, a save percentage of .917, and 23 shutouts in his stint with Vegas. He set numerous franchise records in the process, making him the de facto face of the franchise.
But let's go back to saying goodbye to a beloved franchise face for a second. Saying goodbye to Fleury was tough for Golden Knights fans in attendance at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday. Sure, the home team won the game, 4-1, behind a pair of Pavel Dorofeyev goals. However, the attention was on the netminder as fans said farewell like he was a cherished family member.
Vegas fans showered Marc-Andre Fleury with love in likely his last-ever trip to @TMobileArena 🌸 pic.twitter.com/6NAJRYr58F
— NHL (@NHL) January 13, 2025
Why Marc-Andre Fleury made me think of my own family
Three years ago, my grandmother was close to being on her deathbed. A couple of bouts against breast cancer and aging took a toll on her, sapping her of her vitality. In turn, life confined her to her chair, where she would spend hours watching game shows with her beloved dog. She passed away in March 2022, putting her fighting soul to rest.
It was tough saying "goodbye" to her since she was our family matriarch. Everyone in our family would gather for the big holidays, whether it was Thanksgiving or Christmas. She spent years raising us and teaching us about life through different means, including golf (where she'd get the occasional eagle) and going to the beach.
Now, Marc-Andre Fleury is still alive and kicking (thank goodness). However, the goaltender making his last appearance at T-Mobile Arena felt like losing a close family member. All the memories shared would be forever etched in the ice. It didn't matter if it was a dynamic save against the Toronto Maple Leafs or Fleury giving a random player a wet willy. Life wouldn't be the same without the netminder from Quebec.
That's why Sunday's victory over the Minnesota Wild feels somewhat bittersweet. Sure, you got two points over a solid Wild team aiming for the Central Division crown (and the top of the NHL hierarchy). However, Golden Knights fans (and hockey fans, in general) won't see Fleury in hockey arenas anymore. That sobering reality will hit soon, leaving fans to feel like the game's not the same without the former Vezina Trophy winner.