OFFICIAL: Vegas literally dumped Marc-André Fleury for absolutely nothing
The Vegas Golden Knights have announced that they have placed forward Mikael Hakkarainen on waivers in an effort to mutually complete his contract. Hakkarainen is the player Vegas received in return for Marc-Andre Fleury this summer.
With this news, what we can infer is that the Golden Knights literally gave Marc-Andre Fleury and his massive $7 million per season salary to the Chicago Blackhawks. The last recipient of the Vézina Trophy, given to the best goalie in the NHL, was obviously no longer wanted by the Nevada organization.
Fleury's underperformance in the playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens did not help his cause. However, it had been about a year since the organization and Fleury had been on the outs, because the latter had tased the Quebecer at the expense of Robin Lehner.
The Golden Knights were certainly very tight with the salary cap, so the organization had to get rid of a big contract to facilitate the monetary management internally. Unfortunately for Fleury, he was the one who was dealt, despite all the good he brought to this team. Is this a lack of respect for the Sorel-Tracy native? It clearly is.
Trading the goalie who held down the fort in Vegas for four seasons in return for nothing makes no sense... However, the Blackhawks should be happy with their new acquisition, as they will be trying to get back to the playoffs after a few seasons of misery in Illinois.
