One by one, they took the ice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.

Evgeni Malkin received a nice ovation from the fans in attendance and returned the greeting with a fist pump.

Sidney Crosby was next, and the cheers were a little louder and longer as he flashed a grin while skating near the stands.

Given that each luminary is as synonymous with the Pittsburgh Penguins as the black and yellow colors of the franchise, the receptions they received for a simple practice session were understandable.

But they seemed mundane in comparison to the man who followed them.

Marc-Andre Fleury stepped onto the rink wearing trademark yellow gear and was subject to a standing ovation from those who he dazzled for more than 15 years as the top goaltender in the history of this franchise.

Yellow is a popular color: pic.twitter.com/2V0IxLTExI

— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) September 26, 2025

Having officially retired after last season as a member of the Minnesota Wild, the 40-year-old Fleury signed a ceremonial professional tryout contract with the Penguins last month so he could informally retire as a member of the Penguins.

But the terms of the pact will require Fleury to suit up for a portion of one preseason game, a home contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. As such, he had to prepare somewhat during Friday’s practice.

Fleury’s work in a brief warm-up before practice was somewhat demanding, if comical. He was subject to several five-on-none rushes led by Crosby, Malkin and other All-Stars such as Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson.

Regardless of how serious the attack was on Fleury, the affection for him never waned.

When Fleury denied forward Rickard Rakell with a flamboyant glove save, “Flow-err! Flow-err!” chants of his nickname were offered.

Poor Marc-Andre Fleury is facing a five-on-none and still comes up with a glove save: pic.twitter.com/DNll3I77gb

— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) September 26, 2025

After Fleury was beaten for a deflection goal by rookie Ville Koivunen, an amorous fan bellowed, “I still love you!”

And a barrel roll double-pad stack denial of Crosby elicited simple but delirious roars.

“I just wish I trained more, had more stamina to stick around,” Fleury guffawed. “But it was a lot of fun. I loved it.”

As for the practice itself, Fleury was largely a spectator, watching from the neutral zone as reserve goaltenders Filip Larsson and Sergei Murashov got in some valuable repetitions in hopes of shoring up their developing skill sets.

Fleury would occasionally spell them, offering encouraging stick taps or “high fives” with his glove as he filled the crease but he was largely there as a celebrated observer.

What advice did he offer Larsson and Murashov, each NHL hopefuls?

“You better try hard, I’m coming to take your spot,” Fleury said with perfect deadpan. “No, just try to get to know them a little bit. They’re both very nice kids, and good goalies, obviously. Just how they’re doing, how camp is doing, and wishing them the best for the upcoming season.”

Fleury, the top overall selection of the 2003 NHL Draft, may have spent more time shooting the breeze near the benches with goaltending coach Andy Chiodo, also a member of the Penguins’ draft class that year at No. 199 overall.

Fleury did get one prominent piece of real estate Friday, however, in the form of his old locker stall. The current occupant, current would-be franchise goaltender Tristan Jarry, vacated it out of respect for the franchise’s standard at the position.

Jarry, a second-round draft pick (No. 44 overall) in 2013, didn’t mind yielding his stall considering who was annexing it.

“He was always great with all of us, whether it our first year coming out of the draft or our first year pro,” Jarry said, recalling his time as a prospect with the organization. “He always made the time for everyone. It’s just who he is. He’s a great person. He cares about everyone. He’s very genuine.

“It’s helped every goalie that’s come through here. I think every goalie got a piece of Marc-Andre Fleury.”

The forwards and defensemen can probably claim some of him as well.

Forward Bryan Rust, now 33, broke into the NHL as a 22-year-old with the Penguins in 2014-15 with Fleury as a teammate.

“He was always open, he was always nice,” Rust said. “He was always asking how your day was, having fun with you. It didn’t matter who you were, either. You weren’t safe from the pranks. That part of him made him so special that he treated everyone the same.”

If Fleury looks anything remotely like the same goaltender who captivated onlookers with dynamic saves and showmanship a generation ago in Saturday’s game, that’s a fair question.

The man who debuted at the Mellon Arena as an 18-year-old with springy hips in 2003 is now middle-aged and “slower, more hurt, a little more sore and not as flexible, as fast.”

He is slated to play in only a single period against the Blue Jackets.

But the chance of one more chance to wear a Penguins jersey and skate with those he won with was hard to pass up when it was offered by president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas.

“I was a little worried about giving up six goals tomorrow that one period,” Fleury quipped. “I don’t want to, like, ruin the game or anything like that, right? But to have the opportunity to do it (play this game), I feel that’s how we spent most of our time together, right? It’s in that practice routine, game day routine, and having time with them in the locker room before practice or before the game tomorrow and stuff like that.

“I think it’s pretty cool. A great opportunity and very thankful.”

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