Can Alex Nedeljkovic be more than a depth signing for the Pittsburgh Penguins?

The Pittsburgh Penguins brought in a piece to improve their goaltending depth when they signed 27-year-old Alex Nedeljkovic to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. After having a breakout rookie season, he has struggled in his last two seasons. He fits the mold of reclamation projects Kyle Dubas looks for in goaltending, as Nedeljkovic seems determined to find his game again. Is that possible or is he just here as a tertiary option behind Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith?

Return to Form? 

When Nedeljkovic burst onto the scene during the 2020-21 season, he looked like a possible number one goaltender. He was calm in net, flashed an incredibly quick glove, and made timely save again and again behind a stout Carolina Hurricanes defense. He won 15 of 23 games played and put up a godly goals against average of 1.90 and a save percentage of .930%. His impressive debut won him the starting postseason job for the Hurricanes, where he went 4-5 before being eliminated. 

After his successful first campaign, he was moved to the Detroit Red Wings with the expectation that he would be their new starting netminder. The trade was anything but a success for Nedeljkovic, as he struggled through his first season as a true starter. Despite appearing in 59 games and posting a .901 save percentage, he went 20-24-9 playing on a much more porous Detroit defense, and his starting hopes dwindled. 

This past season, he was demoted to back-up and third string goaltender for the Red Wings after a poor start to the season. He only appeared in 15 games at the NHL level and looked below average. At the AHL level he was 13-9-3 and seemed much closer to regaining his 2021 form. After being recalled closer to the end of the season, his play improved. In fact, his best game might have been against the Pens last season, where he battled through giving up four goals to get the win. Looking for a fresh start and a chance to jumpstart his career, he inked a one-year, prove it deal with the Penguins.

Quick Reflexes, Quicker Glove

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCGfoWQSRX4[/embed]

When he's on his game, Nedeljkovic is one of the most athletic and agile goaltenders in the NHL. At 6'0, he doesn't fill the net the way the some of today's elite netminders do (think Andrei Vasilevski or Connor Hellebuyck), so he relies on his athleticism and positioning to keep him ahead of the play. He tracks the puck extremely well and has the instincts to make desperation saves at the last moment. 

Looking at the highlights from his 2021 season, his athleticism and flexibility stands out, but so does his ability to move side to side. He has a very strong push-off that propels him across his crease with an impressive amount of force and speed. Several of the saves on that top 10 list are prime examples of his ability to move laterally to make a save. When he's playing well, that side-to-side fluidity is consistent and an important part of his game.

He also possesses a quick and reflexive glove hand that can help save him from being down and out. On top of his agile movements in net, he relies on his glove hand to be as quick and reactive as he is. When he's on his game, it's nearly impossible to beat him glove-hand side. 

A Tale of Two Goalies

If you want to see the issues with Nedeljkovic's game, watch the highlights from this game between the Red Wings vs Florida Panthers. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxJ3fKFRamo[/embed]

When Ned is off his game, it's like a totally different goaltender in net. The biggest noticeable difference is the command he has in his crease. In this matchup, he instantly is off. He's playing deeper in his crease from the onset and his rebound control is poor. He isn't aggressive towards the puck and it costs him the chance to get a whistle and slow things down. These are all signs of a goaltender with shaken confidence. 

These are also all aspects of his game that he's exceeded at before, and can possibly return to excelling at. Take a look at the highlights from this 42 save win Nedeljkovic put up this past season against an incredibly talented Toronto Maple Leafs team. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35m_aWdQ-Lw[/embed]

Nedeljkovic starts the game with a beautiful glove save on an Auston Mathews wrist shot, and it sets the tone for his game immediately. He follows that up by being assertive and aggressive throughout the match. He stops a penalty shot attempt by standing strong above his crease and using his agility to stifle the Leaf's forward. He battles through crease traffic and multiple breakaway opportunities to make save after save. Even after getting beat on a difficult shot that brings the Leafs to within one goal, Nedeljkovic shows resiliency and shuts the door for the rest of the game. 

There's no denying the talent Nedeljkovic possesses. The problem for the Penguins, unfortunately, is they have three goaltenders who can all be described as inconsistent including Nedeljkovic.

If he can find his 2021 game, the Penguins may have a diamond in the rough and a running partner for Jarry. Where it stands now, he's poised to be the third option in the Penguins' three-goalie system and provide much needed depth to a position of need. He will get a shot with the Pens this year, and hopefully he will take the chance and run with it. He needs it, and the Penguins do, too. 

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