Marc-Andre Fleury’s agent posts graphic image in response to Robin Lehner being Vegas’ starting goaltender (Photo)

Marc-Andre Fleury’s agent is not too keen on the veteran goalie being benched by Vegas

The Vegas Golden Knights emerged out of the Stanley Cup Round Robin with the first seed in the Western Conference handedly defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs. Plenty of credit can be given to the stellar play by goaltender Robin Lehner, whom the team acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline earlier this year. While Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer described the Lehner-Fleury combo as “1A-1B,” it’s been Lehner who’s received the majority of starts in the playoffs.

Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh, is seemingly unhappy about Vegas starting Lehner, and he let his feelings be known by tweeting out a very graphic photo. The image shows Fleury with a blood-stained sword through his back, and DeBoer’s name is written on the weapon.

WARNING: Photo is graphic and NSFW

Fleury’s agent creating drama in the bubble

During the 2019-20 season before the pause caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Fleury hadn’t played as strongly as he did since moving to Vegas via the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. This regular season, Fleury has accumulated a 27-16 record, along with a 2.77 goals allowed average and .905 save percentage. With the Golden Knights in playoff contention, the organization opted to have a dynamic duo between the pipes, and decided to trade for Lehner.

Upon entering the bubble in Toronto, Lehner has started in six of Vegas’ eight playoff games, proving that DeBoer views him as the team’s best option in net. Lehner went 5-1 in those contests, where he’s posted a 2.50 goals against average and .904 save percentage. Fleury started in two Stanley Cup Playoff games for Vegas and has a perfect 2-0 record. But, Fleury owns a .250 goals against average and a brutal .886 save percentage.

Fleury and his agent know this situation all too well. At the end of his tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the veteran was benched in favor of Matt Murray in 2016. The team ended up winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with Fleury watching from the bench.

The Golden Knights will have a difficult choice at the conclusion of the tournament. Lehner is set to become an unrestricted free agent and will undoubtedly receive lucrative multi-year contract offers from teams. Meanwhile, Fleury has two seasons remaining on his $21 million contract signed back in 2018.

It’s entirely possible that Vegas will lock in Lehner to a long-term deal, but would have to find a trade partner for Fleury. That could prove to be difficult, especially after his agent posted a graphic photo to critique his client’s current team and coach.