Former Habs enforcer Chris Nilan disrespects Marc-André Fleury after last night’s game

The Montreal Canadiens were happy on Thursday night even though they were held scoreless at home. That’s because beloved goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was in between the pipes for the visiting Minnesota Wild, and got the 4-0 win against the Habs. This made him the first netminder in NHL history to have recorded a shutout as a teenager and as a 40+ years old player. And the first to get hugs and praise from all opposing players at center ice in Montreal after the game with his family and loved ones watching.

It was quite unexpected, but the entire Canadiens squad, as well as the coaching staff, stepped onto the ice to shake Fleury’s hand.

“We paid our respects to a player who deserves that respect. A long career, a French guy, in Quebec,” Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said. “I think it was our obligation to do that, even after the result.”

On Friday, former Habs enforcer Chris Nilan could not believe it. Although he admitted that times have changed since he last played in the NHL, he would have never shook hands with the rival goalie. That’s what explained to Pierre McGuire on the Sick Podcast, even adding that if he had been in the Canadiens’ lineup last night, he would have gotten physical with the goaltender:

“I would have punched him in the head. Are you sh*tting me?”

Fleury is retiring at season’s end, after 21 seasons in the NHL, which has included stops with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights and Chicago Blackhawks before joining Minnesota. He is from Sorel, just outside of Montreal, and this was his last time playing at the Bell Center.

Fleury was emotional after the win, saying:

“Tonight my family is here, my kids are here, my wife. And they all saw the love from the people here. That made it really special.”

So why can’t Nilan comprehend that?

Part of the 1986 Stanley Cup winning Canadiens, Nilan made the NHL as an enforcer, and perhaps that’s why he can’t see how once the game is over, it’s okay to fraternize with the opposite team, especially with a beloved player like Fleury.