Marc-Andre Fleury Makes NHL History With 552nd Win—Wild React

Marc-Andre Fleury is coming home. The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that the 40-year-old, three-time Stanley Cup–winning goaltender has signed a professional tryout contract (PTO) and will suit up for parts of the club’s preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 27 at PPG Paints Arena. The move instantly electrified Penguins Nation and reignited buzz around one of the most beloved players in franchise history. Fleury hasn’t worn a Pittsburgh sweater in a regular-season game since 2017, but his name still echoes through PPG Paints Arena whenever a highlight package rolls or a big save is needed. By agreeing to the PTO, the veteran netminder will get one more chance to share the ice with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, teammates from all three championship runs in 2009, 2016, and 2017. General manager Kyle Dubas framed the tryout as “a celebration and an evaluation.” Although the Penguins are locked into Tristan Jarry as starter and Alex Nedeljkovic as backup, the organization believes Fleury’s presence can push internal competition while offering veteran insurance ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. If the PTO evolves into a one-year deal, Fleury could challenge for several milestones, including becoming the fourth goaltender in NHL history to reach 1,000 regular-season appearances. He currently sits at 987 games played with 561 wins, third all-time behind Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur. Fleury spent last season with the Minnesota Wild, posting a 23-15-5 record and a .908 save percentage while mentoring Filip Gustavsson. Over the summer he contemplated retirement but maintained that a final skate in Pittsburgh held strong sentimental value. “Putting on that logo one more time would mean everything,” he told reporters in July. Now it’s happening, albeit in exhibition form, and ticket demand for the September 27 match-up has spiked on resale sites. From an on-ice perspective, the Penguins hope Fleury’s reflexes and trademark poke-check remain intact. Off the ice, his locker-room charisma and championship résumé make him an ideal mentor for top goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist. Head coach Mike Sullivan said the plan is to give Fleury roughly half the game versus Columbus, allowing fans to shower him with adoration before the regular group takes over. If Fleury impresses, Pittsburgh could carry three goalies into October—or they could offer him a one-day contract later in the season so he can officially retire as a Penguin. Either scenario cements a storybook ending for a player drafted first overall in 2003 who grew into one of the NHL’s most enduring personalities and elite performers. For now, the countdown is on. When No. 29 pushes off his crease in black and gold again, the building will roar, memories will flood back, and Marc-Andre Fleury’s Pittsburgh encore will finally begin.