The foregone conclusion that the Rangers will pass on picking up Theo Fleury’s $7 million option for next season was seconded – and endorsed – yesterday by a most unlikely individual.
Fleury himself.
“I’m not worth $7 million; there’s no way,” the winger told The Post on the morning of what most likely was his final home game on Broadway. “But if there’s a way for me to come back for less, that’s what I want to do, because I know that I owe this organization for the last three years.
“This organization has stuck by me, supported me and has done everything possible to make it easier for me to play. They’ve probably done more for me than I deserved. I’ve been here for three years and we never made the playoffs. That’s pretty tough to swallow.
“The organization expected more when I signed, and I expected more from myself. I’m not making any excuses. I take responsibility for what I did do and what I didn’t do.”
What Fleury did do this year was remain sober, celebrating his one-year anniversary on Feb. 28; no small achievement. But he did not produce a lick over the second half of a season that was marked by a series of emotional outbursts that became distractions to the club.
“I was [terrible]; simple as that,” said Fleury, who went into last night’s match against the Maple Leafs with two goals in his last 18 games, four in his last 27 and nine after Christmas. “The whole year was a learning experience [after rehab], but I’m disappointed in myself for the way I acted and reacted to certain situations.
“I think there was a point that I lost my confidence, then I started to feel sorry for myself, and I think I might have alienated myself from my teammates a little bit. Whatever happens in terms of being back here or not, I still have a lot of key issues to work on.
“I have to admit that there were times during the year that I let my responsibility to my [off-ice] program slide a bit, times when I didn’t go to meetings the way I should have. I fell into the trap that’s part of the personality of being an alcoholic; I thought because things were going well I could let up a little bit. But it’s exactly the opposite.
“But as I say, I’m learning. I’m going back to Santa Fe to be with my sponsor over the summer. I need to stay focused on my recovery and also to be the best hockey player I can be, not only for myself, but for my team.
“I have to get my life in order.”
Fleury, who will turn 34 on June 28, scored 15 goals his first year as a Ranger, 30 in 62 games last year, and 24 this season. Even without everything else, that wasn’t enough.
“I was expected to put up big numbers and I didn’t; no one has to tell me that,” Fleury said. “And that’s why I’d like to have the chance to come back and make it up to everybody here.
“I owe a lot to Mr. Dolan, Mr. Sather, to the fans and my teammates.”
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Contrary to reports elsewhere, Mark Messier told The Post yesterday that he has not yet committed to coming to training camp. “No decision one way or another,” The Captain said. “There’s nothing new to discuss.”