Marc-Andre Fleury Nearly Became a Maple Leaf Before Last-Minute Collapse, Agent Reveals

With all the talk over the years about the Maple Leafs and their inconsistent goaltending, the 2024-25 season was a refreshing change thanks to Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll; who backstopped the team to an Atlantic Division title.

They've had their fare share of quality goaltenders, but they have often found themselves relying on rookies, or old veteran journeymen to keep them afloat.

But according to NHL agent Adam Walsh, the team was in talks to nearly acquire one of the greatest goalies of all time, but for a steep price.

Walsh explained that the deal was in place, however both Kyle Dubas and Brendan Shanahan were hesitant to pull the trigger; and for good reason.

The trade would have looked something like this:

To Toronto:
Brandon Hagel (F)
Marc-André Fleury (G) (extended)

To Chicago:
Matthew Knies (F) (rights)
Petr Mrázek (G)
2022 Toronto 1st (Top 10 Protected) (Rinzel)
2023 Toronto 1st (Top 10 Protected) (Cowan)

Looking back on it, it's a good thing that Toronto didn't give up the signing rights to Knies, who has emerged to be a superstar and is only going to get better.

Plus, Toronto would have had to miss out on Easton Cowan, and wouldn't have had a pick in the first round that season (2021-22).

But you also have to think this stings a bit too. Fleury is one of the greatest ever, he's a future Hall of Famer, and is among one of the NHL's best playoff goalies.

Adding him to Toronto would have been huge, and while Jack Campbell played very well that season, it's a no-brainer that Fleury could have been a game changer.

Fleury's career is legendary; he posted a 575-339-97 record with a 2.60 GAA and .912 SV% over 21 seasons.

He won the Stanley Cup three times (2009, 2016, 2017), won a Vezina, is second all-time in wins behind only Martin Brodeur (575) and is 10th all-time with 76 shutouts.

The team also missed out on forward Brandon Hagel, who has exploded to become one of the most improved and highest potential forwards; he just scored 35 goals in 2024-25 and added 55 assists while playing top level defense.

The team would have certainly put up a better fight in 2022-23 with Fleury in tow, and with Hagel helping out alongside Michael Bunting or Ryan O'Reilly would have been a massive boost to their playoff hopes as well.

But we won't know how things might have turned out, but it's safe to say things went alright for everyone.

Knies is about to become a superstar and a potential future captain in the league, Hagel is part of a very solid Tampa Bay Lightning team that always competes.

Meanwhile Fleury is able to ride off into the sunset knowing he had one of the greatest careers ever.