Jul 4, 2008 - 12:20 AM
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The Penguins did not release financial terms, but TSN of Canada reported the deal is worth $35 million.
"Pittsburgh is where I want to be," Fleury said. "That was the first goal when I talked to my agent about signing this contract. I told him I loved this city and the organization and the guys on the team. Sid (captain Sidney Crosby) signed a long deal here, and so did (Evgeni) Malkin. If I stay around, we should be in pretty good shape."
The move comes one day after Pittsburgh signed 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, the 23-year-old Fleury emerged as one of the league's top netminders, helping 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 said. "He is coming off a tremendous performance in the playoffs and he was one of the main reasons we reached the Stanley Cup Final."
"Everybody is different," Fleury said. "But for myself, I didn't want to go out there and try to fight for a deal to get more. This is a lot, and I am really happy with it."
In 173 career games, Fleury has posted a 76-67-19 record with 11 shutouts and a 2.95 GAA.
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 now have spent a reported $101 million to keep Malkin, Orpik and Fleury in the Steel City.
Malkin signed a five-year extension worth a reported $43.5 million and Orpik agreed to a six-year, $22.5 million contract.
