Marc-Andre Fleury’s retirement tour never really felt like a goodbye, and the way he has been hanging around the Minnesota Wild lately is only driving that point home. With the organization now openly listening to trade offers on Jesper Wallstedt in pursuit of a true No. 1 center, a path is suddenly visible where Fleury steps back into the crease as Filip Gustavsson’s veteran backup for a Stanley Cup push.
Fleury officially called it a career after the 2024-25 season, finishing with over 1,000 NHL games and cementing his Hall of Fame resume, but he never actually left the rink. Throughout the 2025-26 campaign, he has attended most Wild home games, regularly jumped on the ice for practices, and even worked with injured players when the team has been on the road.
He reportedly hasn’t looked out of place, moving well and showing the same competitiveness that defined his prime years. At 41, nobody expects him to carry a starter’s workload. Still, the fact that he continues to face NHL shooters and keep his timing sharp matters if the question ever shifts from “Will you practice?” to “Can you give us 20 to 25 games?”
The Wild’s crease has become a champagne problem. They’ve signed Gustavsson, 27, through 2030-31 on a long-term deal that recognizes him as the organization’s No. 1. Meanwhile, he has broken through with impressive early-career numbers and Calder buzz. Still, that success has made him the club’s most valuable trade chip.
Multiple insiders have reported that Minnesota is “open” to trading Wallstedt for a top-six center, ideally a legitimate first-line center. The logic is straightforward: The Wild have already sacrificed center depth in other big moves and remain aggressive in trying to land a high-end pivot who can play alongside their star wingers during their contention window.
If they move Wallstedt for that elusive No. 1 center, the Wild’s goaltending depth chart suddenly looks thinner behind Gustavsson. Gustavsson owns the starters’ crease and a full no-move clause, which makes bringing in another high-end, long-term goalie redundant and cap-inefficient.
Instead, Minnesota needs a veteran backup who can handle spot duty, manage a room, and embrace the role of clear No. 2. That description fits Fleury perfectly. He already has played with the Wild’s core, understands the defensive structure, and has shown he can thrive in a tandem or backup role late in his career.
From a cap standpoint, a one-year, low-cost deal for a returning veteran would be far easier to squeeze in around a newly acquired, high-salary top-line center than paying two goalies at starter money.
Fleury always has a competitive fire and desire to win. He has spoken often about how much he values the chance to compete for championships, and his actions, continuing to skate, mentor, and even shadow management, suggest he still feels deeply connected to the grind of an NHL season.
Now imagine the scenario: The Wild flip Wallstedt for a legitimate No. 1 center, finally balancing their lineup down the middle while keeping Gustavsson entrenched as the starter. A roster with a true first-line center, an already improved blue line, and a Vezina-caliber starter would look like a genuine Cup threat. That’s the kind of opportunity that could push Fleury to consider a short-term return as Gustavsson’s backup.
Nothing about this path is guaranteed, and it would require several bold decisions from Bill Guerin and a major personal choice from Fleury. The Wild would have to be convinced that moving their “in case of emergency” goalie of the future is worth the immediate upgrade at center. Fleury would also have to be sure he’s ready for one last stretch run in his career.
But for the first time, everything has aligned for his return. He’s a retired legend quietly keeping his timing sharp. The Wild have a franchise goalie locked up long-term, an elite prospect on the trade board, and a front office openly pushing for a No. 1 center and a serious Stanley Cup run.
In that context, Fleury returning as Gustavsson’s backup is no longer just a fun fantasy. It’s a plausible, hockey-sense move that could become one of the defining storylines of a Wild team finally all-in on a championship chase.