2 Rumours: Fleury Won’t Come Back; Kane Won’t Bring Full Value
Every trade deadline has its themes, and this year’s early pattern is starting to reveal itself. Two names keep popping up for entirely different reasons: Marc-André Fleury and Evander Kane. Put them side by side, and you get a pretty good snapshot of how the league talks about aging stars — and what the market actually thinks of them.
What about Marc-André Fleury?
Let’s start with Fleury, because his rumour mill is running entirely on nostalgia. His name has been floating around all season, ever since he suited up for that preseason cameo with Pittsburgh. Teams keep calling. Fans keep wondering. And anytime he shows up at a rink — like the other day with the Wild — the speculation machine kicks into overdrive.
But here’s the part that hasn’t sunk in: Fleury isn’t coming back. The word is that he’s not considering a return, and the Minnesota Wild aren’t nudging him toward one. Their focus is on adding a centre, not resurrecting their goaltending. It’s wishful thinking, not a real story. Fleury has moved on. The league hasn’t.
The rumour isn’t really about him; it’s about what teams wish still existed. Specifically, could a veteran goalie parachute in, calm the chaos, and save a season? Fleury used to be that guy. He’s not that guy anymore, and he’s OK with it.
What about Evander Kane?
Now look at Evander Kane, and it’s a different tone entirely. The talk isn’t sentimental; it’s blunt market math. Kane just scored in back-to-back games and has three goals in his last six. For a 34-year-old who’s been shuffled between the top line and middle six, he’s still producing. So far this season, he has recorded nine goals and 23 points, and the usual mix of hits, shots, and penalties. He’s useful. He’s competitive. He’s still a load physically.
But his value? That’s the part where everything quiets down. Elliotte Friedman noted Vancouver could fetch a third-round pick, with salary retained. That tells you everything: teams like the idea of Kane in their lineup — they don’t like the full price tag, on or off the ice. He’s still wanted, but only at a discount.
Making sense of the Fleury and Kane rumours.
So we have two rumour stories going in opposite directions. For Fleury, too many teams are chasing a dream he’s already let go. For Kane, teams are interested, but only if someone else pays for part of the gamble.
And that’s what makes this rumour cycle interesting. These aren’t just names — they’re mirrors. One reflects how desperate teams are for experience. The other reflects how cautious they’ve become about risk. It’s early, but you can already feel it: this trade deadline’s not going to be about splashy blockbusters. It’s going to be about value, perception, and which teams are willing to trust when the games get heavy.