Theoren Fleury Comeback

[Cody]

Fan960 courtesy of TSN.ca

TSN: Fleury Attempting Comeback

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that former Calgary Flames forward Theoren Fleury is attempting a comeback to the NHL. After playing senior hockey last season, Dreger reports that Fleury made his decision in February and has been working with a personal trainer since then.

[Cody]

At 41 years old, he might be a little late. This might be a way that he can finally show everyone that he's been sober as he'll need clearance from the NHL Substance Abuse program. Either that or we'll find out he's still messed up. Personally, I'd like to see it all work out for him, I just don't see it happening.

[dso67]

i hope he signs on with a team. a good way to end his career and it would be good for the nhl in this time of retarded owners and dirty commissioners. not to mention there are worst players on teams that he could replace.

[Cody]

Also he is not far off 500 goals either. I'd love to see him reach that milestone.

[dso67]

would love to see him score a few, pot the 500th and then retire and roll into the hall like he deserves.

[Cody]

Brent Sutter was watching Fleury skate, either today or yesterday, and wouldn't comment much about it. I wonder if the Flames will be the team to give him a shot? I don't think he has much chance of hell of making it, but it would be cool to see Theo at training camp, crack the lineup, and score his 500th career goal as a Flame.

[dso67]

true that.

[Cody]

If anything maybe he'd start out the year in Abbostford with the Heat. Eventually earn a call up.

[Cody]

Theo is going to meet with Betmen and Daly today about his reinstatement. League doctors have done their tests and submitted the results. I was skeptical because there seemed to be no word coming from the NHL but after hearing this news I am sure theo will get his suspension released. I can't see the NHL having theo fly to phoenix suring this whole coyotes debacle, right before training camps, just to tell him his request is being rejected.

[Cody]

Once Gary Bettman is done in Phoenix courts tonight he will then meet with Theoren Fleury. I am hearing that the NHLPA and NHL doctors that met with Theo in Calgary as well as Theo's peers have given it the okay. Also it sounds like as soon as Theo is given the reinstatement, a team (not sure which one) is ready to invite him to training camp this weekend. I am extremely excited, as he was my favorite player growing up, I'm just sad it won't be with Calgary. I would love to see him wear the #14 Flaming C one more time.

[flamesfan]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=498200


sweet, good luck to fleury. Hope calgary atleast gives him a tryout...

[Cody]

Fleury had told TSN last night that there are a number of teams interested but out of respect for the teams he wouldn't say who until given the consent.

This morning before work, the fan960 said that Fleury was planning on calling the station and he said early that they would be the first to know what training camp he was going to. Unfortunately I can't get 960 where I'm at so I may have missed the big announcement.

I have my doubts it will be with calgary. Apparently Sutter had said that the team wouldn't be interested. I hope he was bluffing

[flamesfan]

It's Sutter, he always fucks with the media. Besides, he's done crazier things. lol Well, i guess we'll find out soon enough.

Does this mean Fleury is in the game (if he makes it)? lol

[Cody]

He would be included in a roster uodate

[Cody]

He's going to Flames camp! Sounds like it anyway, fleury expected to make it official in the next hour

[flamesfan]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=290725

Goooo Fleury. I just wanna see him make it for the sake of seeing him in a Flames jersey once again.

[dso67]

i really hope he makes it. but then again, if claude lemieux could at least make it with the sharks, fleury should be alright.

[Cody]

Totally different situations in my opinion, dso. Claude could come in and be a 3rd/4th line plug. I think Fleury needs to be able to prove he is a top 6 forward who can score. And in order to play for Brent Sutter, you need to also show defensive responsibility.

It sounds like he will more then likely start the season in Abbotsford, from what I read last night. That's not to say he can't come in a shoot the lights out and earn a spot on the Flames right out of training camp. I'm anxious to see this whole thing pan out. I will likely be going to a few Flames pre-season games, so I am excited to see the guy play and to see how well he could fit in.

[flamesfan]

Well atleast he looks like he's in shape. (found this on flames forum)

[Cody]

calgaryflames.com

Just like most NHL hopefuls, Theoren Fleury didn't sleep well last night.

On the eve of training camp, the excitement surrounding the prospect of returning to the ice where he skated for the majority of his career proved too overwhelming for the Flames legend.

"I woke up at 6:00 this morning ready to go, so there's definitely some excitement. I'm happy it went well, hopefully I'll continue to get better and feel better as we go along," said Fleury, who despite being thrilled awake early, had few nerves as he went out for the first day of Flames training camp.

"I tried to make sure I didn't trip when I came out on the ice for the first time, other than that it's my nineteenth training camp, so...."

Head coach Brent Sutter ran his new charges through a spirited first practice, but the pace was no problem for the 41 year-old Fleury, who scored better in his pre-camp fitness testing this time around than any during his previous time as a Flame.

"This is the National Hockey League and I didn't expect anything less," said Fleury.

"I think the biggest hurdle was (fitness testing) yesterday, just realizing that I belong here fitness-wise. I've always been able to play hockey, it was just a matter of the fitness part. I'm really excited about yesterday and how I tested."

Following the first day of camp, the coach remained cautiously optimistic about a player he once opposed on the ice.

"(Fleury) had a good first day. We're just going to take it day-to-day and when tomorrow comes, we'll worry about tomorrow. When you've been out of the game for six years, that speaks for itself. It's going to take some time, it doesn't just happen overnight, and that's why we're going to take it day-to-day," said Sutter.

"To Theo's credit, he came here in tremendous shape, his physical and medical went great, now it's just a matter of getting on the ice."

Dion Phaneuf, who has been in touch with Fleury for the better part of his comeback attempt, was impressed with what he saw on the ice during their groups' practice.

"I thought he was really good. He tested very well and today he was moving. It's great to see him come back, especially in the shape he is. He looked good out there for the first day," said Phaneuf.

"I wasn't surprised. I skated with him last week and he seemed to be in very good shape. I hope he has a great camp, he worked hard for the last eight months. I've been talking to him, he put in the work and it shows"

Flames fans young and old came out to catch a glimpse of the practice, and they were rewarded during an offensive drill when Fleury looked in vintage form, streaking down the right wing and feeding Carsen Germyn with a picture perfect pass in the slot, which Germyn in turn roofed. When asked about the play, Fleury provided the kind of invaluable sage advice he was brought in to share with his teammates.

"A little patience can go a long way in this game if you can hold onto the puck and force the defender to make his move first," said Fleury, who appreciated the fans cheers as well.

"It's better than getting booed, I know that."

Fleury's first foray with the Flames came during the magical 1988-89 season in which the Flames won the Stanley Cup, and he admitted it was a bit odd lacing up his skates alongside players who were only born around that time.

"Everybody here has been more than welcoming. It's fun, but I have a boy that's as old as some of these guys, so I do feel like a bit of a senior citizen, but I'm competing against them and that's why I'm here," said Fleury, who also begrudgingly confessed to one weak spot in his game so far.

"(Skating backwards) does need a little bit of work, but that's okay, I skate forwards most of the time."

With fitness testing, one restless night, and a full day of practice under his belt, hopefully Fleury will sleep soundly tonight, as he's back at it first thing Monday morning.

"I'll continue to workout off the ice and continue to get better and better everyday, and when I do get the opportunity to go on the ice I'll give it all I have," said Fleury.

"The more days go by, the more I feel comfortable, it's not like I haven't been here before. I've just got to have fun, and enjoy this for however long it lasts; hopefully it lasts for a long time."