TSN Analyst Craig Button: Keeping Fleury Not In Pens' Best Interest
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)- TSN Analyst and former general manager Craig Button joined "The Cook and Poni Show" on Wednesday afternoon to wrap up the Pens season and address the trade rumors surrounding goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
Button says the Pens will have to make difficult decisions moving ahead because of salary cap implications. One of those moves could involve trading Fleury as early as this weekend at the NHL Draft in Buffalo.
"No question that Marc-Andre Fleury is going to move on, in my mind," Button said. "I think there will be a lot of play for Marc-Andre Fleury."
But, will it be this weekend at the NHL Draft?
"It will be their first opportunity," Button said. "But, if a deal doesn't happen this weekend, I don't think it will be the last opportunity."
Could we see the Pens actually keep both Fleury and Matt Murray heading into next season?
Button thinks with a younger, less expensive option in Murray, it makes sense for the Penguins to move on from Fleury. Holding onto Fleury could cost them in the future with losing other players for cap reasons. He thinks the Pens would be also taking a risk by keeping him because of the need to protect him in a possible expansion draft.
"Your gonna have to protect Fleury and that would expose Murray," Button said. "So, in other words...I don't think it's in their best interest to keep Marc-Andre Fleury."
Button said that Fleury has been a great Penguin and a great person, but the time has come to move on.
Listen to the full interview here including his thoughts on how the Pens put it all together to win the Stanley Cup.