Trade scenario put together to get Fleury to Toronto

It was recently reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal that Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is set to meet with his club’s front office and pro scouting staff in the coming weeks to draw up their plan for the offseason. 

And that plan is expected to include a tough decision: if the team will keep Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner. 

This plan pleases the Toronto Maple Leafs, who need to improve their situation in between the pipes. It prompted Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle  of The Athletic to dress a list of 16 goalies that make sense for Toronto for the upcoming seasons. 

And their number one pick is Fleury. 

We all know during last offseason how Foley advocated to retain Fleury and has expressed his wish for the veteran goalie to finish his career in Vegas. However, in the past days, trade chatter has gotten louder seeing that a Fleury trade would enable the Golden Knights to gain some salary-cap flexibility. Per Cap Friendly, Vegas has $75.4 million invested in 18 players, with $12 million tied up in their goaltending. Fleury carries an annual average value of $7 million, but he might be easier to move with a year left on his deal and coming off a Vezina Trophy win. He and 29-year-old Lehner also won the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals-against.

The only issue is that the Golden Knights would need to retain some of Flower’s salary. On top of that, the Leafs will have to be careful on what it would take to acquire Fleury’s services. 

But Siegel and Mirtle write this: “He and Campbell stand to be a pretty, pretty good combo next season, after which the Leafs could sort out their future in goal. 

“Big questions. But definitely an intriguing option for the Leafs, who would benefit from someone with Fleury’s ability and experience, even if it was only for one season.”

So, can the Leafs pull this off?