Signs Point to Fleury Coming to the End; Big Emotions Bubbling (+)

ST. PAUL  — The head coach may have been off limits for one of the many pranks Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has pulled during his career as a member of the Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, Vegas Golden Knights, and for 14 years as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan cracked a large smile when asked if Fleury had ever gotten him with a prank. The answer was negative, though Sullivan conceded that beyond pulling a good one on the head coach, not much else was off limits to the perpetually smiling goaltender.

“He has a captivating personality. I think his energy is contagious. He loves the game. He loves to have fun. And I think that’s how he endears himself to his teammates,” Sullivan said. “But he’s also a fierce competitor when the puck drops. And I think it’s important that nobody loses sight of that — with some of his antics and the jokes that he plays on his teammates, and the energy that he brings, he’s a fierce competitor.”

There were signs Friday morning that Fleury, 39, is nearing to the end of his career.