Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, who was out due to a lower-body injury at the start of the season, has now joined the team for their upcoming four-game road trip. Nedeljkovic recently completed a conditioning loan with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League and made an impressive 33 saves in a 4-3 victory over Lehigh Valley.
After being injured in a preseason game on September 30, Nedeljkovic expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I felt good. It was nice. I saw a little bit of everything. I think it was the kind of game you’d want in this situation.” He highlighted the various game situations he faced during the match and emphasized that he felt more settled as the game progressed.
The Penguins are scheduled to face the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks during their road trip. In addition to Nedeljkovic, the team also has goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Joel Blomqvist available for selection. Nedeljkovic, who had a successful first season with Pittsburgh in 2023-24, boasts a record of 18-7-7 with a 2.97 GAA and .902 save percentage.
Having been selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2014 NHL draft, Nedeljkovic has played for the Hurricanes and the Detroit Red Wings before joining the Penguins as a free agent in July 2023. Throughout his career, he has accumulated a record of 60-45-22 with a 2.96 GAA and .906 save percentage. Notably, he led the league in the 2020-21 season with a 1.90 GAA and a .932 save percentage, earning him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie first-team.
In June, Nedeljkovic signed a two-year contract extension with the Penguins, securing an average annual value of $2.5 million. His return to the team for the road trip is expected to bolster the goaltending department and provide valuable support as the Penguins continue their season. With his experience and proven track record, Nedeljkovic is poised to make a significant impact and contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming games.