Marc-Andre Fleury comments on the possibility of a return to Pittsburgh after this season

While goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has now played for three teams throughout his career, he will always be known for his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was the team that drafted him first overall in 2003 and where he won his three Stanley Cups. Fleury is, of course, spending this year in Chicago. He will become an unrestricted free agent once this year ends and he's already being asked about the possibility of a return to Pittsburgh for next year.

Fleury sat down with The Athletic for a question and answer session in advance of Saturday night's game between Chicago and Pittsburgh. He obviously knew the questions about a return to the Penguins was coming.

"I know what you are going to ask. I can't give you an answer," said Fleury.

Pressed on whether he would consider returning to the city even if he chose to retire, here's what Fleury said:


"I don't know. I don't know, Rob. Honestly, I don't know," he said.

"I'm not sure what I want to do at all. There are so many great people in Pittsburgh. Obviously, some of that time is going to be us in Montreal (not far from where he was born). Pittsburgh is special. I don't know if being there after not playing for the team for so long — I really don't know."

Fleury said he didn't think it would be difficult to retire in Pittsburgh if he chose to play for the team for another season.

"No, I think it would be easier, right? We know so many people in the city. We know so much stuff around the city. We know the staff with the Penguins. So, I think it would be convenient. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Fleury did admit in the interview that he considered retirement when he found out about his trade from Vegas to Chicago. However, he ultimately decided on playing out the final year of his current contract with the Blackhawks.