Penguins sign G Fleury

Jul 3, 2008 - 7:53 PM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins locked up another one of their core players Thursday, signing goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to a seven-year contract extension.

The Penguins did not release financial terms, but the TSN of Canada reported that the deal is worth $35 million.

The move comes one day after Pittsburgh also signed center Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Brooks Orpik to long-term contracts.

"It's great news for the Penguins organization and our fans to continue to sign our core group of young players," Penguins general manager Ray Shero said.

Last season, Fleury, 23, emerged as one of the league's top netminders and helped lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. During the playoffs, he posted a 14-6 record with a 1.96 goals-against average, three shutouts and a .933 save percentage.

The top pick in the 2003 draft, Fleury missed 27 games during the regular season with an ankle injury. After returning, he posted a 19-10-2 record with four shutouts and a 2.33 GAA.

Fleury was slated to become a free agent on Tuesday, but the Penguins offered him arbitration in June, which allowed the club to continue negotiating with him.

"At a young age, Marc-Andre has established himself as one of the elite goaltenders in the game," Shero added. "He is coming off a tremendous performance in the playoffs and he was one of the main reasons we reached the Stanley Cup Final."

Pittsburgh lost one key member of last year's team, as Marian Hossa signed a one-year, $7.45 million contract with the Stanley Cup champion Red Wings on Wednesday. But the Penguins have now spent a reported $101 million to keep Malkin, Orpik and Fleury in Pittsburgh.

Malkin signed a five-year extension worth a reported $43.5 million and Orpik agreed to a six-year, $22.5 million contract.