Murray happy to see Fleury shining for Golden Knights

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray knows what's coming.
During the first television timeout in the first period of the Penguins game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SN1, SNE, SNO, TVA Sports, ATTSN-PT, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV), a tribute video will play for Marc-Andre Fleury. More than 18,000 fans at PPG Paints Arena will cheer the opposing goalie while Murray watches before returning to his crease.

That doesn't bother Murray. In fact, he wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's not that odd because of who it is," Murray said Monday. "He's a fixture here and he did so much for the team and the community, and the city and for everybody. He's an awesome guy. He did a lot for me as well. I'll be one of those fans cheering when they play that video."
Fleury, who played 13 seasons in Pittsburgh, winning the Stanley Cup three times, and Murray formed a bond while sharing, and competing for, the starting job the past two seasons in Pittsburgh.
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Fleury, 33, became a mentor to Murray, 23, who started each of the Penguins' Stanley Cup-clinching victories the past two seasons.
After the Penguins won a second straight championship last season, Fleury passed the Stanley Cup to Murray shortly after receiving it himself.
Since then, each has gone his own way.
Murray is the clear No. 1 goalie for the Penguins this season. Fleury is having arguably the best regular season of his NHL career with the Western Conference-leading Golden Knights, going 15-4-2 with a 1.84 goals-against average and .939 save percentage in 21 games.
They text each other from time to time, with the last exchange coming a few weeks ago, Murray said. Fleury was the one to reach out, and Murray responded by complimenting his play and telling him to keep it going.
"He deserves every bit of recognition that he gets," said Murray, who is 17-12-1 with a 2.93 GAA and .905 save percentage in 33 games this season. "He's an awesome guy and an awesome goalie."
So awesome, in fact, Murray said he considers Fleury one of the best goaltenders in NHL history. Fleury holds Penguins records for games played (691), wins (375) and shutouts (44).

"That's what everybody strives for," Murray said. "A long, Hall of Fame career like [Fleury]."
The numbers weren't what made Fleury beloved within the Penguins locker room. His willingness to help younger players, including Murray, solidified his reputation as a team leader.
For Murray, his relationship with Fleury began before he reached the NHL.
"When I was still in [Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League] and had never been to a training camp or anything like that, [Fleury] actually sought out my number from someone," Murray said. "I'm not sure how he got it. I've told this story 100 times. He texted me when I was, I think I was 19 at the time. I had never talked to him. I had never met him.
"He texted me. He just said, 'Congrats on your great year and we'll see you soon in Pittsburgh at training camp.' As a kid, that was my first year of pro hockey, so it meant a lot to me. And obviously, I still remember it to this day and probably will for a long time."
Murray wouldn't say he's filled Fleury's mentor role with rookie goalies Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith, who have taken turns as Pittsburgh's backup in recent weeks. He did credit Fleury for teaching him how to be a professional, though.
"As a kid coming into the NHL, I don't think you really understand what it takes to be successful night in and night out," Murray said. "It's really difficult to do. [Fleury] exemplified that over his entire career. … He's one of the best of all-time."
Fleury, who skated at PPG Paints Arena on Monday for the first time since the Golden Knights selected him in the NHL Expansion Draft on June 21, downplayed his role as teacher.
"It's not like we had classes, you know?" Fleury said. "I've learned from watching my teammates. The way they behave themselves on and off the ice. What they did. I just tried to be a good example for the younger guys, the goalies."
Fleury said he's looking forward to his tribute video because it "brings back memories over the years."
About two hours earlier, down the hall in a locker room Fleury used to occupy, his former protégé said nearly the same thing.
"It brings back some good memories of the last couple years," Murray said. "[Fleury] was a huge mentor for me, obviously, and somebody I became pretty close with over the last couple years. So, it'll just be nice to see him again."