SAN JOSE, Calif. — He was smiling that June evening also, and yet the emotions behind his grin had to be swirling like winter storm clouds in Pittsburgh, because 14 years to the day of being drafted by the team on which he would enjoy so much glory and success, Marc-Andre Fleury was being asked to embrace and lead another franchise.
He said all the right things once introduced as the final selection of an expansion draft, acted in a most generous and appreciative manner, hugged the team owner and slipped on a new NHL sweater, this one with the crest of a Knight.