HEYYYYY FANNNSSSS: In 29 Days...

You know the routine due to lag, school, losing of credit cards, beer runs, work and life our posts have been delayed. We promised we wouldn't do that again but we suck so. Anyway, we're resuming the countdown 2 days later... We're on the number 29 so but technically 28 but technically by the time you read this probably 27 maybe 4, who knows. Anyway, 29 days (when you read this) until the Pens open against the Ducks on their quest of their 4th Stanley Cup since the team was added to the NHL in 1967. Past Penguins to have worn the number 29 sweater include Al Smith, our very own GMJR, Dennis Herron, Andy Brown, Gary Inness, Bob Stumpf, Dunc Wilson, Greg Millen, Michel Dion, THE Phil Bourque (ol' two-niner), Markus Naslund (legend), Tyler Wright, Krzsztof Oliwa, Brooks Orpik and Marc-Andre Fleury. While many are irrelevant some are not. Naslund, Orpik, Bourque, and Fleury have gone one to greatly contribute to Penguins history as well as the NHL (Naslund). We're gonna talk about the great Wall of Blame, Marc-Andre Fleury with a side note on Phil Bourque.

F-U Karlsson

Marc-Andre Fleury was taken 1st overall during the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Fleury was acquired from the Florida Panthers with now current Penguin, who wasn't when we mentioned the trade in a previous post, Daniel Carcillo (73rd overall) for the number three pick, who ended up being Nathan Horton, the 55th pick and former X-Generation superstar Mikael Samuelsson. Fleury represented Canada twice as a junior in 2003 and 2004, winning silver medals. However, in 2004 a costly clear attempt by Fleury cost Canada the game. However, Fleury won gold for Canada thanks to the "Golden Goal" by our own #BestInTheWorld SC87. Upon being drafted, Fleury made an immediate impact and began the 2003-2004 season with the club. Fleury is the youngest goalie to make their NHL debut at 18 years old, which is three months earlier than number two, literally he plays like shit and is irrelevant Rick DiPietro. On October 10, 2003 Fleury's career began as a Penguin losing to the LA Kings 3-0, however he recorded 46 saves. I mean back then offense was basic, defense was subpar and Fleury was just coming into the league, hence no expectations. Fleury recorded his first NHL win his very next start against the Detroit Red Wings on October 18, with a 4-3 win. To start, Fleury split time with all-star goaltenders J.S. Aubin and Sebastian Caron. Fleury went on to win October Rookie of the Month honors with a 2-2-2 (god damn ties) record, a 1.96 GAA and a .943 save percentage. He was then loaned to team Canada for the 2004 World Juniors won silver, returned to his QMJHL team due to financial reasons and his $3 signing bonus (this was almost the beginning of the Kansas City Penguins) and towards the end of the season Fleury was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre.

During the 2004-2005 NHL season there was a lockout and the season was cancelled (#BettmanSucks). Fleury went on to be a stud for Wilkes-Barre going 26-19-4. During the 2005-2006 season Fleury started the season in the AHL. However when started studded goalie Jocelyn Thibault went down with an injury in October, Fleury was recalled. He'd bounce around like a southside slut until November 28, when he was permanently called up. The Pens finished last in the eastern conference so it was not urgent to pick a goalie. The Pens played with the idea of Thibault, Caron and Fleury. The other two were degenerates, so naturally Fleury solidified his spot.

The 2006-2007 season brought change much better than Obama had ever hoped for. The Pens made the playoffs, Fleury impressed the coaches (#PreBylsmaEra) and Crosby and Malkin were here. The X-Generation was over and many came out of hiding to watch real hockey be played. Fleury went on to record 40 wins that season, picking up his 40th during the season finale against the Rangers. Fleury joined the elite company of Tom Barrasso as the only other Penguin goalie to record 40 wins in a season. The Penguins went on to the play the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs in which they lost the series in 5 games. However, Pittsburgh fans were not accustomed to blaming the goalie yet and Fleury played good, so it was not his fault. The 2007-2008 season was one to remember and forget at the same time for Fleury. One he suffered his first epic high ankle sprain that season, and was sidelined from early December to March. However, the Pens made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, and everyone knows how that went against Detroit the first time around... *taps plays*. During the season Fleury went 10-2-1 (injury) and 14-6 in the playoffs, so he was a warrior.

During the 2008-2009 #BestInTheWorld season, Fleury went on to go 35-18-7 in the regular season. That doesn't matter though. What matters is the momentum and the big saves Fleury made that will live in infamy. Let's talk about his toe save against Jeff Carter in game two against the Flyers, or the breakaway save on Ovechkin to start game 7 of the Capitals series. I mean from what I remember, the Carolina series (Eastern Conference Finals) was all about Malkin butt-raping Cam Ward anyway so. During the Detroit final, Fleury allowed 5 goals in game five and was pulled. I was sad and the end seemed near. During game six Fleury saved the day, absolutely robbing Dan Cleary on a breakaway with just a minute and some change remaining. During game 7, the 2-1 Max Talbot special, Fleury made saves, sure but the two at the end to rob Zetterberg and Lidstrom with 1.5 seconds to preserve the Stanley Cup. That cluster-fuck in front of the net.... and Fleury saves it... Hearing Mike Lange say "ANNNND THE PENGUINS HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUPPPP!!" I'll never forget. What a game. What a save.

So emotional RN

The next few years started the Fleury kinda sucks in big games moment. Fleury went 37-21-6 in the 2009-2010 season. Penguins beat the Sens first round of the playoffs then were upset by the Candiens in round two. Fleury recorded a 2.78 GAA during the playoffs.

The 2010-2011 season was an exception (and the only exception under Bylsma) in the playoffs in which the Pens were eliminated by the Lightning in seven because the Pens were without #BestInTheWorld and I am Score (Crosby and Malkin). The only sad part of the series and it's a recurring theme, the Penguins had a 3-1 series lead... *cough Bylsma* *cough adjustments* *cough Therrien's team*.

During the 2011-2012 season, Fleury played 67 games, including 23 straight (thanks Bylsma for fatiguing him) because Johnson and Theissen sucked. Fleury however recorded 42 wins #BestInTheWorld (next to E-Coli infected Pekka Rinne) Either way the Pens were eliminated by the Flyers (Have you ever seen the Flyers win the cup?). On a side note, Ray Charles, Helen Keller, and Stevie Wonder even know how offsides Danny Briere was which eventually led to the Flyers comeback in game 1 of the 2011-2012 playoffs. Holy shit am I jammed.

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The 2012-2013 season was a 48 game season because Bettman sucks obviously. During the season, Fleury went 23-8 (4th in the league), Fleury then went on to suck in the playoffs and gave the net to backup goalie Tomas Vokoun. Though Vokoun provided a bit of momentum, it sucked that Fleury was off. As off as Danny Briere dfjsajfsjakfkjsadfjksdkfl. Either way, the Pens went into the Eastern Conference Finals against Boston and got absolutely destroyed, abused, touched, demolished. Although, much rested on Fleury not being the starter, the Penguins offense was more dead than Ray Rice's career. However, we still all blame Bylsma so.

The 2013-2014 season brought an end to the #BylsmaEra thank christ. Fleury went on to play 64 games and recorded 39-18-5 with a .915 save percentage and 2.37 GAA. During the playoffs, Fleury went 7-6-3 (ouch). The Penguins went on to beat the 5th line (Columbus) four games to two. Then the almighty New York Rangers came to Pittsburgh. The Pens up comfortably 3-1 in the series found a way to go goodnight moon and the Rangers won in seven. All of us here at Heyyy Fannnnsss just sat there. We all knew, just as much as Bylsma knew that changes were coming. We were sad, angry, happy because in the end another early exit / subpar playoff performance meant changes and we currently love the new look of the team. Either way you slice it, the last few years Fleury's playoff performance has been shaky but his regular season numbers have been unreal. The Penguins retained Fleury's goaltending coach Mike Bales, who seems to fit with Fleury.

In summary, Fleury has been through the X-Generation, Therrien administration, Byslaadministration and now enters the Johnston era. The Pens have yet to resign him as his contract is due to expire coming up. This will be a big year for the "Flower" but one we know he's capable of.

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F U Karlsson

2004 World Junior Goal