the bellemare line

└ “It’s weird, you know? A year ago, I was told I was getting too old to play. Hopefully, I can finish my career here. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”

The beloved face of the Vegas franchise didn’t even get a heads-up from the Knights, instead finding out about the trade Tuesday via Twitter.

​​A source close to Fleury described him as “totally shocked.” Another source said Fleury “doesn’t want to play there,” though stressing that the sentiment had nothing to do with the Blackhawks organization but rather Fleury not wanting to uproot his family for an unfamiliar locale.

The source added that though Fleury has long suspected Vegas upper management — and especially coach Peter DeBoer — did not view him as “their guy,” Fleury was confident he would at least finish out his current contract with the Golden Knights.

One reason for Fleury’s confidence, the first source said, was that he won the Vezina Trophy this past season. Another, both sources said, stemmed from a conversation Fleury had with Vegas owner Bill Foley. That conversation occurred after Foley blocked a proposed trade between the Golden Knights and Penguins that would have reunited Fleury with his original franchise.

Those closest to Fleury have said he and his wife hoped Fleury would finish his career with the Golden Knights. The Fleury family has taken to life in suburban Vegas and did not want to uproot their three children.

However, if an endgame with Vegas was not in the cards, Fleury has long eyed a return to Pittsburgh, where his legend has only seemed to grow since the Penguins allowed him to depart after their 2017 Stanley Cup victory.

“Pitt’s home to him,” a source said of Fleury. “He and Veronique grew up there, you know?”

...Penguins brass is said to have been surprised by Vegas trading Fleury to Chicago, a team source said. That source also said Fleury potentially being available “changes things,” adding high-ranking officials on the business side would “love it” if Hextall could bring Fleury back.

“His jersey would be our No. 1 seller, even with Sid and Geno,” the source said, referring to Penguins superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

“Bringing back Flower would be huge. Every team in the league is trying to sell tickets. We’re the same. Our fans love Fleury. He’s more popular now than when he played for us.”

For what it’s worth, adding Fleury would be endorsed by Crosby, who remains very close with Fleury, sources said.

From a hockey perspective, the Penguins would struggle to fit Fleury’s $7 million annual average value (AAV) under their salary cap. Though, with Malkin expected to at least begin next season on long-term injured reserve, the Penguins could find some temporary cap flexibility to bring on Fleury at his current salary. The Blackhawks could also retain some salary in exchange for picks, prospects or players if they flipped him to Pittsburgh.

Hextall and Burke are thought to be in favor of adding Fleury, but “not at the number he’s at right now,” a source said.