Fleury Still A Penguin: Marc-Andre Remains In The NHL, For Now

The Pittsburgh Penguins have ended speculation that rookie goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will return to junior hockey this week. Fleury was announced as the starter for Wednesday's game against the New York Rangers. The first year of his contract was activated on Saturday, when he made his 10th appearance of the season. But the Penguins retain the option of sending him back to his junior team.

Under the rules governing junior-aged players in the NHL, the 10-game mark is a crucial turning point. If a player returns to his junior team before playing his 10th NHL game, his contract is put on hold until the following year - that is, he returns next season as a player in the first year of his contract. The player also retains his full-term exemption from the NHL waiver process.

By playing his 10th game with the Penguins, Fleury activates his NHL contract and becomes eligible for all bonus provisions in the deal. He can still be sent back to junior hockey any time this season, after which the Penguins would no longer have to pay him. But he would return to Pittsburgh next fall in the second year of his contract and would lose one year of exemption from waivers.

Also, if the Penguins send him back to junior, they cannot recall him until Fleury's junior season is over. 18 and 19-year-old players cannot be sent to minor leagues like the AHL. They must either remain on the NHL roster or return to junior hockey.

Several other high profile rookies, such as Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes, Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, Dan Fritsche of the Phoenix Coyotes, Dustin Brown of the L.A.Kings and Nathan Horton of the Florida Panthers, have already passed the 10-game mark.