Theoren Fleury Poll -- Are you happy Fleury signed with Chicago?

(chicagoblackhawks.com) 

Chicago Blackhawk players as well as some players who are in the Chicagoland area have begun informal workouts at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville in preparation for the 2002-03 National Hockey League season. The first workout took place on Monday, August 26th.

Among those Blackhawk players on hand are:

Goaltenders: Jocelyn Thibault, Michael Leighton, and Craig Andersson.

Defensemen: Jon Klemm, Lyle Odelein, Steve Mc Carthy, Kent Huskins, and Steve Poapst.

Forwards: Eric Daze, Sergei Berezin, Michael nylander, Theoren Fleury, and Alex Zhamnov.

The workouts will take place Monday through Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. and going until noon. The workouts run this week (August 26th through 30th) and next week (September 2nd through 6th).

Several more Blackhawk players are expected to join the workouts as the week progresses.

(ChicagoBlackhawks.com) General Manager Mike Smith announced today that the Blackhawks have signed veteran free agent right winger Theoren Fleury.  In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"The Chicago Blackhawks have had an interest in Theo Fleury since the end of the season.  We think Theo is still a top-level player in our game," said Blackhawk General Manager Mike Smith.  "We've gone through this process with Theo with our eyes open and we know what his personal situation is.  We believe Theo can help our team and we can help Theo."

"We are extremely excited to add a player of Theo Fleury's caliber to our hockey club," said Blackhawk President William W. Wirtz.  "I feel that Theo has a lot to offer our team.  His off-ice issues have been much publicized.  However, we feel that Theo has taken the necessary steps to addressing his issues."

"The Blackhawk organization has been willing and able to provide the necessary support systems in aiding and assisting an individual in his aftercare program," said Mr. Wirtz.  "Since signing with the Blachawks as a free agent, Bob Probert has established himself as a husband and father of four children as well as a model citizen in the community."

Fleury, 34, is entering his 15th season in the NHL having been drafted by the Calgary Flames as their 9th pick (166th overall) in 1987 entry draft out of Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League.  In fact, the number 9 sweater he wore when he played for Moose Jaw is the only sweater that has been retired by that club.

It did not take him long to play his way into the NHL as he played in 36 games with Calgary in the 1988-89 season and averaged almost a point per game posting 34 points (14 goals and 20 assists) in 36 games.  He played in 22 playoff games that year scoring five goals and 11 points and was a member of the 1989 Stanley Cup Champion Calgary Flames.  The Flames won the deciding game of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Forum in Montreal becoming the only visiting team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup on the Montreal Canadiens home ice.

Fleury played 10+ seasons for the Calgary Flames from 1988-89 to the 1998-99 season.  During that time as a member of the Flames, he reached the 20-goal plateau ten times, the 30-goal plateau seven times, the 40-goal plateau three times, and had a career-high 51 goals and 104 points in the 1990-91 season.  He was the Flames leading scorer six times between the 1990-91 and 1998-99 seasons. 

Fleury was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in a six-player deal on February 28, 1999.  In 15 games with the Avalanche during that regular season, he scored 10 goals and added 14 assists for 24 points.  He went on to play 18 playoff games for the Avalanche that year and posted 17 points with five goals and 12 assists.

Fleury signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers on July 8, 1999.  He played three seasons with the Rangers including last year when he scored 24 goals and added 39 assists for 63 points (2nd on the team) with 216 penalty minutes while playing in all 82 games.  Fleury led the Rangers in game winning goals with five.

Fleury reached four career milestones as a member of the Rangers.  He scored his 400th career goal on November 4, 2000, at Montreal.  He reached the 1,000 point plateau with two assists versus Dallas on October 29, 2001.  He played in his 1,000th career game and registered his 600th career assist on January 23, 2002, versus the Boston Bruins.

In the Spring of 2001, Fleury voluntarily checked himself into the National Hockey Leagues/National Hockey Leagues Players Association Substance Abuse and Behavior Health Program missing the Rangers final 20 games of the regular season. Upon his successful completion of the NHL/NHLPA Program, Fleury entered a mandatory aftercare program prescribed by the program doctors.  Participating in an aftercare program is one of the key components to each individuals overall program. As part of the aftercare program, individuals are required to submit to mandatory testing as long as they continue their career in the NHL. 

In his NHL career, Fleury has played in 1,030 games scoring 443 goals while adding 612 assists for 1,055 points with 1,763 penalty minutes.  Of his 443 goals, 124 have been scored on the power play, 35 were shorthanded goals, and 64 have been game winners.  He is also a +152 in his NHL career having been a plus player in 12 of his 14 seasons.  He has appeared in 77 career playoff games scoring 34 goals and 45 assists for 79 points with 116 penalty minutes.  Fleury played in the NHL All-Star game seven times, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2001. 

Fleury is no stranger to International competition as he was a member of Team Canada that captured the Gold Medal in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.  Fleury played in six games and posted two assists for the Canadians.  His first taste of international competition was the under-17 championships in 1984-85.  He helped Canada to a Gold Medal in the 1988 World Junior Championships and was named to the tournament All-Star Team.  He won the Silver Medal as a member of Team Canada in the 1991 World Championships and was named to the Second All-Star Team.  He was a member of Team Canada that won the 1991 Canada Cup and also played for Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Fleury also was a member the Canadian Olympic Team in the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.

Although he stands at only 5.06, Fleury has always used that as inspiration.  He credits Blackhawk Hall of Famer and current assistant coach Denis Savard for that inspiration.  "I've always believed there was room in the league for smaller players," Fleury said.  "There's no better example than Denis Savard."

Fleury also believes it is important to give back to the community.  Having been diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1995, Fleury hosts an annual golf tournament in Calgary during the off-season to benefit the Crohn's/Colitis Foundation.

By Dave Fuller -- Toronto Sun

If Theoren Fleury wants to play in Toronto, the Maple Leafs definitely are interested in having him. 

Leafs executive Bill Watters told The Toronto Sun last night that he already has had several conversations with Fleury's agent, Don Baizley, about the free-agent forward's future. 

"If Theo Fleury is interested in playing for us, we owe it to our team to discuss it because he's a skilled player," Watters said. 

Fleury, who became an unrestricted free agent after the New York Rangers failed to pick up the $7-million US option on his contract, entered a substance abuse program last season and is wary of playing for a high-profile team like the Maple Leafs. 

Fleury, 34, has hand-picked three teams -- the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning -- as locations where he might be best suited to play. 

He has met with Blackhawks general manager Mike Smith and Coyotes general partner Wayne Gretzky, and may hook up with Tampa GM Jay Feaster later this week. 

Watters said he's aware of Fleury's agenda and doesn't intend to pressure the former Calgary Flame.  However, Watters thinks playing in Toronto could be a positive experience for Fleury, despite his past troubles. 

"We're not concerned about that. I think we have a group (of players) who would receive him well," Watters said. 

By Dave Fuller -- Toronto Sun

Wayne Gretzky sat down with Theo Fleury and his agent, Don Baizley, on the weekend, hoping to convince the troubled free agent to sign with the Phoenix Coyotes. 

"That's our intention, and we'd love to see it happen," Gretzky told The Arizona Republic. 

Fleury, who met with Blackhawks general manager Mike Smith last week in Chicago, hooked up with Gretzky at the Coyotes' rookie camp in Scottsdale. 

Fleury, who entered a rehab centre for substance abuse last season -- while with the New York Rangers -- makes his home in New Mexico and said he liked the idea of competing in a city with a "smaller, more media-friendly market." 

"I'm in no hurry (to sign)," Fleury told the paper.  "There are a lot of positives about (playing in Phoenix)." 

Fleury, 34, who played for Gretzky and Team Canada at the Salt Lake City Olympics last winter, said he would visit with another team before making a decision. 

"In the end, whatever I do, money isn't going to be the thing that makes or breaks the deal," said Fleury, who made $7 million US with the Rangers last season.  "To me, the most important thing is off the ice. Am I going to be comfortable? Am I going to be able to succeed off the ice?" 

Fleury is said to be looking to earn between $4 million and $5 million, though Gretzky said the Coyotes weren't interested in entering a bidding war for the winger's services. 

Meanwhile, Gretzky, the Coyotes managing partner, said he plans to practise with the team when training camp opens next month but has no intention of making a comeback. 

(CP) Jay Feaster, GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was unusually vague when asked if he's talked to agent Don Baizley about signing unrestricted free agent Theo Fleury. 

"I can neither confirm or deny those reports and nothing should be inferred," Feaster told the Tampa Tribune. 

Baizley said the eight-time 30-goal scorer will make no decisions on his hockey career until August. 

It's unlikely Fleury will ever return to the Flames

By ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun

This town ain't big enough for the both of 'em. 

Rumours suggest the Calgary Flames are ripe for picking up Theo Fleury to bolster scoring punch and ensure the little big man finishes his career where it started. 

However, as long as Jarome Iginla isn't swept away by a heinous offer sheet dangling $40 or $50 million US in front of him, there simply isn't enough money in Cowtown to reunite the former teammates. 

Today's NHL salaries have ensured this will remain a one-horse town at best. And the club has every intention of ensuring that
horse is Iginla. 

That's not to say Fleury couldn't end up wearing the Flaming C on his jersey again. 

In the off-chance Iginla hits paydirt with another club and the Flames are unable or unwilling to match the monstrous offer even in Canadian funds, Fleury could most certainly become Iggy's replacement of sorts. 

However, with plans for serious talks between Iginla, agent Don Meehan and the Flames set for this week, it's a highly unlikely scenario. 

The fact that Fleury has yet to sign anywhere is not a reflection of his sagging value on the open market. He has simply instructed his agent, Don Baizley, to inform potential suitors he will not be making any hockey decisions until late July or August at the earliest. 

Fleury has made it clear his priority is to continue trying to get his life back in order. With a troubled marriage, he still requires plenty of support from friends as he battles the urges brought on by former addictions. 

Since checking himself into the NHL/NHLPA substance abuse program early in 2001, Fleury has struggled to maintain his on-ice composure at times. Sporadic outbursts directed at referees and opponents sent his stock tumbling as his mental fragility frustrated New York Rangers coaches, players and fans as it cost the club wins. 

The general theory is that it will also cost him plenty of money as it's believed the man who just celebrated his 34th birthday will have to settle for a substantial pay cut this fall. 

How much less makes for interesting debate amongst local hockey fans who suggest the small-market Flames may now have the unique opportunity to reacquire one of the franchise's best and most popular players. 

Fleury's $7-million pricetag was recently deemed too high in New York, prompting GM Glen Sather to waive the option year of their deal. Shipped off to San Jose just before the July 1 free agent deadline, Fleury refused to entertain offers from the Sharks, who have since used up $6.5 million a year to re-sign Teemu Selanne. 

To date, the Flames have not spoken to Baizley or Fleury, nor do they have plans to. 

However, given Fleury's tremendous ability, work ethic and status as the club's all-time leading scorer, GM Craig Button wouldn't rule anything out. 

Besides, the owners here love him and it was a teary-eyed Fleury who said the day he was traded to Colorado -- Feb. 28, 1999 -- that he'd like to finish his career in Calgary. 

It's not out of the realm of possibility for Fleury to accept less money to return to a city where he played 11 seasons and won a Stanley Cup as a rookie. 

He still returns to Calgary every summer to see his son Josh and host his charity golf tourney. 

In a hockey world in which union bosses, agents and colleagues put heavy pressure on players to strive for every buck possible, the question is how low would he have to price himself for the Flames to bite. 

It's not a reasonable expectation. 

For now, his options vary from retirement to playing on any number of NHL teams or in Europe, as he suggested with all seriousness in the spring. 

Still one of the league's best forwards, Fleury exhibited exemplary conduct at the Olympics where he and Iginla were integral parts of Canada's first gold in 50 years. 

The question is whether the man battling so many demons can control his emotions over the course of a full schedule. 

One fine evening. Fleury's No. 14 will undoubtedly be raised to the Saddledome rafters, retired alongside Lanny McDonald's No. 9. 

In the eyes of many, he'll always be a Calgary Flame in spirit. 

But in all likelihood, that's how it will have to remain.