Fleury started his professional career as the No. 1 overall pick from an iconic 2003 first round NHL Draft class that included Eric Staal (No. 2), Thomas Vanek (No. 5), Ryan Suter (No. 7), Zach Parise (No. 17), Brent Burns (No. 20), Brent Seabrook (No. 14), Ryan Getzlaf (No. 19), Ryan Kesler (No. 23) and Corey Perry (No. 28).

Retired Marc-Andre Fleury playing for Team Canada in Worlds

But if you want to see Marc-Andre Fleury take the ice in games that matter one more time, then make sure you are watching the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden from May 9-25, where both Fleury and his old buddy Sidney Crosby have already signed up to play for Team Canada.

Breaking News: Marc-Andre Fleury has accepted an invitation to go play for Team Canada at the World Championships.

— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) May 5, 2025

It will be the first MAF has ever suited up for the IIHF World Championships. In fact, Fleury hasn’t gotten much run with Team Canada, since he turned 21. He played in the U-20 World Juniors back in 2002-03 and 2003-04 (10 games, 1.70 GAA, .923 Save %) and made one Canadian Olympic Team (2010), but didn’t get an appearance in net.

Related: New Minnesota Wild Arena Name and Sponsor Revealed…?

But could it be possible, someway-somehow, we see Marc-Andre Fleury take the ice again in a MN Wild uniform? Well, his teammates are trying to convince him to sign on as the 2025-26 emergency goalie, since the Fleury’s are staying in the Twin Cities area, post-retirement. NHL emergency goalies must be at the ready for all home games and they can be activated for either the home or visiting team.

Marc-Andre Fleury interested in Minnesota Wild EBUG duty?

When asked by media on Monday if he is open to such a role, the 40-year-old Fleury confirmed that he hasn’t shot it down yet. The MN Wild activated their emergency goalie one time in 2024-25, and the EBUG has actually taken the ice at Xcel Energy Center only a few times in franchise history.

#mnwild captain Jared Spurgeon said they’re trying to get Marc-Andre Fleury to be the emergency backup goalie.

— Sarah McLellan (@sarah__mclellan) May 5, 2025

Today, Michael Russo asked Marc-Andre Fleury if he's open to being the MN Wild's EBUG in 2025-26 or at least willing to help out during practice…

Russo: '[Your teammates] joked about you being the EBUG. In all seriousness, can you see yourself around the team a lot, throwing… pic.twitter.com/yhfxtkusNq

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 5, 2025

Russo: ‘[Your teammates] joked about you being the EBUG. In all seriousness, can you see yourself around the team a lot, throwing on the pads next year at all?’

Fleury: “Yeah, why not? I don’t know, I’d have to talk to Billy [Guerin] and [John] Heinzy about it, but if Gus needs a day off or gets sick or something, or Wally, yeah why not? It’s a good workout, get a good sweat and have fun with the guys, so…”

Closing MN Wild Player Press Conference of 2024-25

Of course, it’s unlikely Fleury is willing to commit to emergency goalie duty next season. I’m sure he wants to be available to help the Minnesota Wild, but that might be too much of a commitment. If he wants to split time with current EBUG Connor Beaupre offered on X to split the job with the NHL Hall of Famer.

Why not both of us?! https://t.co/MbnnLNbFpx pic.twitter.com/8Q8TtCnX8d

— Connor Beaupre (@youngbeaups) May 5, 2025

How good was Fleury with/before MN Wild?

Not only is Flower a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but he’s in the conversation as the best goalie in NHL history, winning THREE Stanley Cups and being named to FIVE All-Star Games, though he only played in one (2010-11).

Related: Marco Rossi Camp Not Happy with Minnesota Wild

Marc-Andre Fleury’s 1,051 games played are the second-most of any goalie in NHL history, behind only Martin Brodeur (1,266), who also stands as the only goalie with more wins (691) in his career than MAF’s 575 victories. Fleury’s 76 career shutouts are tied for 10th-most all-time.

In honor of Marc-Andre Fleury officially announcing his retirement last week, here is a progressive timeline of the all-time @NHL goalie win leaders throughout history!

Many goalie legends featured including @MartinBrodeur, @HLundqvist, @Cujo & @grantfuhr 🥅🏒📈 pic.twitter.com/XtYcMhPLND

— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) May 5, 2025

It was back in the offseason of 2021, before Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman were fired, that the MN Vikings signed veteran defensive back Patrick Peterson, who spent decade of his NFL career racking up Pro Bowls with the Arizona Cardinals.

Former Minnesota Vikings CB Patrick Peterson retiring as a Cardinal

On Friday, after playing one season in Pittsburgh, news broke that Peterson will be signing a one day contract in Arizona on Monday, in order to retire as a member of the Cardinals organization, where he played the first 154 games of his career, which included all three of his first team All-Pro nods and all eight of his Pro Bowl appearances.

Eight-time Pro-Bowl CB Patrick Peterson will be in Arizona on Monday to retire as a Cardinal, per source. Peterson played 13 years in the NFL, including his first 10 seasons in Arizona, where he was a three-time All-Pro selection.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 11, 2025

Peterson played two seasons in purple, totalling 111 tackles, 6 interceptions and 20 passes defensed in 30 total games. He was one of the many veteran defensive backs who helped bridge the gap from Zimmer to Donatell, but left Minnesota the same offseason Brian Flores was hired as defensive coordinator.

According to Pro Football Reference, Patrick Peterson has a “Hall of Fame Monitor” score of 86.10. The average score of an HOF defensive back is 96.93. Nonetheless, Peterson has the highest HOF Monitor score of any defensive back not currently in the Hall.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Miss on Another Veteran QB

Everyone around him — including LeRoy Butler (86.5), Steve Atwater (86.28), Cliff Harris (85.28) and Aeneas Williams — are already HOF. Assuming Peterson doesn’t come out of retirement, he will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028, where he’ll likely be a cinch 1st ballot vote.

Over the years, former president of baseball operations, now team president Derek Falvey and his front office have had mixed results brining in veteran pitchers, both in the bullpen and on the starting staff. Some have been more expensive than others, too.

One of the most notorious free agent signings the MN Twins have made during the Falvey tenure came relatively early, in 2018. That’s when the Twins swung big on a hefty right-handed starter named Lance Lynn. After he rejected a deal in early March of 2018, for two years, $20 million, Lynn wound up signing a one-year deal worth $12 million, just days later.

In 2025, that price tag seems like pennies on the dollar for a productive proven productive 30-year-old pitcher. It’d be the equivalent of paying a starter in the range of $20 million per season, today.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Lance Lynn retires

After begrudgingly signing with the MN Twins in 2018, Lynn lasted just 20 starts, posting a 5.10 ERA. Minnesota then sent him to the New York Yankees, where he pitched for six more seasons. But on Tuesday, the one time Twin revealed on his wife’s podcast that his Major League Baseball career is over.

“Baseball season is upon us, and I’m right here on the couch, and that is where I’m going to stay. So, there’s the update. I am officially retiring from baseball right here, right now. There might be something a little fun around the corner, in the upcoming weekend. But for Major League Baseball, I am done pitching.”

Lance Lynn – Dymin in the Rough

Lance Lynn went on to suggest that there was interest in his services during free agency, but not at the money he was looking for. Being home was something that was comfortable to him and he felt happy leaving his MLB career, as is.

The 13-year big league veteran — who last pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024 — was drafted 39th overall by that same team in 2008. Lynn made his MLB debut with the Cards in 2011, and left the game wearing that same uniform.

Lynn struggled with the Twins big time

When Minnesota signed Lynn ahead of the 2018 season they were hoping that a guy who had been a key cog in the Cardinals rotation for six seasons would be able to help get their rotation over the top. He was supposed to pair with Ervin Santana (who started that season injured), Jake Odorizzi, Kyle Gibson and Jose Berrios in an attempt to win an AL Central Division title.

Unfortunately Lynn posted a lackluster 5.10 ERA across 20 starts, the worst ERA of his career, up until 2023. He walked 62 batters in 102 1/3 innings, and often looked fatigued. His weight was always a talking point, while he was in Minnesota.

Tyler Austin (5)

Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Pitcher: Lance Lynn
Date: 4/25/18 pic.twitter.com/2Fmy5tn6fs

— Yankees Home Runs (@NYY_HR) November 20, 2023

But once the Twins sent him to New York at the trade deadline — in exchange for Luis Rijo and Tyler Austin — he produced a 2.17 ERA in 54.1 regular season innings in the Bronx, before he imploded in the playoffs that fall. The Minnesota Twins finished 2018 with a 78-84 record, before firing manager Paul Molitor.

After his brief tenure with the Yankees, Lynn played for both the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox. He posted a much better 3.42 ERA in 95 starts from 2019-2022. As was the case before his time with the Twins, he was once again a solid starter.

Related: At Least One MN Twins Player is Using Controversial New Torpedo Bat

It wasn’t until the final year with Chicago that he really blew up (6.47 ERA). Lynn owned a a 4.36 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers to close out 2023, and pitched 23 games for the Cardinals last year with a 3.84 ERA.

He leaves the game as a two-time All-Star and World Series champion with St. Louis during his rookie season. He was never a true ace, but constantly a key cog in multiple rotations. Lynn made just over $95 million during his big league career and can now enjoy life on the couch with his family.

Well, I’m not sure Mike Zimmer can even deny it this time. Gary Kubiak has officially announced his retirement from the NFL and released a statement via the Minnesota Vikings.

Vikings Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach Gary Kubiak has officially announced his retirement. pic.twitter.com/MOmPfhPjL7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 21, 2021

It’s been the honor of my lifetime to work for 36 seasons as an NFL player and coach. I’ve been on a football field for most of my life, and now I look forward to stepping away from the game and enjoying more time with my family and friends.

I offer my sincere thanks to the owners and fans of the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers for giving me opportunities to be a part of this great game and for treating me and my family so well offer the years.

I’ll miss the competition, the planning, game days and being part of a team. But, more than anything, I’ll cherish the friendships I’ve made along the way with players, coaches and staff. I love the game of football and will forever be its biggest fan.”

Gary Kubiak Statement via Minnesota Vikings

The search begins

Well, the search for a new offensive coordinator will officially begin. Will the Minnesota Vikings hand the position to one of their in-house coaches, possibly Klint Kubiak, Gary’s son?

We blogged about that when the season ended and Kubiak all but unofficially announced his retirement. There are a lot of good options, but given how little Mike Zimmer wants to see things change… I’d be hard-pressed to believe anything crazy happens.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Former Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals outfielder, Denard Span, has officially announced his retirement from the MLB, after 11 seasons. Span played for five different teams during his career, spending five years in the Twin Cities.

Happy retirement to @thisisdspan!

The #MNTwins first round draft pick in 2002 slashed .284/.357/.389 in five years with the club, hitting 23 of his 71 career home runs in a Twins uniform. Span had four multi-hit playoff games with the Twins, hitting safely in all six of them. pic.twitter.com/wXJigw2ZOF

— Twins Dingers (@TwinsDingers) June 9, 2020

In 2002, Span was drafted 20th overall by the Twins. Six years later he made his major league debut, coming up to replace an injured Michael Cuddyer. While not providing much power at the plate (career high home runs is 12), Span made up for it with his speed and contact. In addition, he served as a plus defender, finishing as a gold glove finalist in 2013 and 2014.

After the 2018 season, Span spent one year as a free agent looking for a new home. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to find one. In an interview with mlbtraderumors.com, Span shared his frustrations on not playing.

“…I honestly recognize that I’m not the player that I was when I was in D.C. or when I was in Minnesota. But, I still know that I have value. I’m not a center fielder or premier player anymore, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help a ballclub win a championship or win games. I’m not the $12MM player anymore, but from what I did [in 2018], that doesn’t tell me I’m worth $1MM or worth $1.5MM or worth league minimum. I got an offer for league minimum. It was just unreal.”

mlbtraderumors.com

Span’s most notable tenures came with the Minnesota Twins and the Washington Nationals. While in Minnesota, Span hit 23 bombas, stole 90 bases, and hit .284 with an OPS of .746.

After the 2012 season, Span was traded from Minnesota to the Nationals in exchange for minor league pitcher Alex Meyer (who only pitched 6.1 innings in a Twins uniform).

Span’s best year came with the Nationals in 2014. He finished the year 19th in National League MVP voting, with a .302 batting average, 31 stolen bases, and an OPS of .771.

After three years in DC, the outfielder bounced around the league from 2016 to 2018, spending time with the San Fransisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, and Seattle Mariners.

While his career numbers don’t jump off the page, I was always a Denard Span fan. He was a fun player to watch. He’s no Byron Buxton, but he was a solid piece of the clubhouse for five years. Best of luck sent to Denard, as he starts his life after baseball.

Sam Sklar | Minnesota Sports Fan