ROSTER REVIEW

among goaltenders.

His circumstances make evaluating his play trickier. Fleury, at an age when other goalies slow down, is playing as much as ever. The 35-yearold has logged the fourthmost minutes in the league in the past two seasons, largely because the team has had little faith in his backups.

Rest could have served Fleury well at several points. Yet the team’s poor record without him — 17-19-5 the past two seasons before this season’s trade deadline — necessitated he play as often as possible.

Fleury also experienced personal tragedy when his father, Andre, died in November. He took a twoweek leave of absence and skipped the All-star Game in January.

Fleury looked more like himself afterward. He

Future

Something else significant happened after the break for Fleury: The Knights acquired another goaltender.

Robin Lehner, a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, came from Chicago at the trade deadline. The two alternated starts for seven games before the season paused because of the coronavirus pandemic. The setup seemed to serve both well.

The only question is how sustainable it might be. Lehner is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and might be looking for a contract and role greater than what the Knights can offer if Fleury remains in place.

That could leave the team with plenty of questions.

Can it count on Fleury carrying a heavy workload again if Lehner leaves? Is there another capable partner or successor? Or is Lehner, who ranked seventh in goals saved above average (12.72), too good to let walk, even if it means moving another contract?

Whatever the Knights do, it will be a fascinating window into their goaltending future.

And how much they think Fleury’s inconsistent season was dictated by circumstance or Father Time.