Pittsburgh Review

When Alex Nedeljkovic arrived in Pittsburgh last fall after a couple of challenging seasons in Detroit following a stellar rookie campaign with Carolina, he was entering a “prove-it season” on a one-year deal. Not just for himself, but for others as well, to demonstrate that he could be an NHL-quality goaltender.

Nedeljkovic came in and “competed his butt off,” as Kyle Dubas put it - seizing the opportunity that arose when Tristan Jarry got ill and ran with it. He started the final 13 games, posting an 8-1-3 record as the Penguins battled for a playoff spot, buoyed by the netminder’s confidence.

Pittsburgh’s President of Hockey Operations and GM said it was nice to see Nedeljkovic rewarded—with the trust of his coaching staff, the respect of his teammates, and most recently, a new contract.

Nedeljkovic had been vocal about wanting to return, and both sides agreed to terms they were comfortable with. The 28-year-old signed for two more years with an average annual value of $2.5 million.

“I enjoyed playing with this group of guys that we had,” Nedeljkovic said. “The majority of them were coming back, and we were going to have a pretty similar roster. Same thing with the coaching staff. For the most part, it’s pretty similar. I thought we had a good run at the end there. I think if we're a little bit more consistent throughout the year, then there's no doubt in my mind that we can be a playoff team and surprise a lot of people that maybe counted us out."

“So, the conversations weren't anything crazy or different than what you've already heard or been told from myself or Kyle or anybody.”

Overall, Nedeljkovic appeared in 38 games, posting an 18-7-7 record with a 2.97 goals-against average, a .902 save percentage, and one shutout. He became just the 11th goaltender in Penguins history to record a point streak of 10-plus games.

Now that he’s had some time to reflect on that run, Nedeljkovic said he didn’t necessarily learn anything new.

“If anything, it was just reinforcing all the things that I do well and what's made me successful, and finding ways to fine-tune those things and amplify them and become better at them,” he said. “Also improving on things that aren't strengths."

“So it was just a good year overall... But obviously... doesn't really matter much when as a team you fall short of your goals.”

Knowing that the team can’t rely on one good stretch of games to get them into the postseason – “it's got to be a full season-long thing” – Nedeljkovic has been working hard this offseason to make sure he does his part.

“Just getting back into hockey shape... fine-tuning some things... hitting that reset button mentally,” Nedeljkovic said. “Trying to come in with... positive frame of mind."

There should be plenty of competition between the pipes; Dubas stated nothing will be given to anybody but it's healthy competition as Nedeljkovic has enjoyed playing alongside Jarry.

“He was one of the first ones to text me when I had re-signed," Nedeljkovic said."I wanted to work with him.”

Nedeljkovic feels they help push each other: "If two of us can be consistent... it'll go long way.”

Comfortability is key for Nedeljkovic who hails from Parma near Cleveland but now resides in Metro Detroit area after moving there for hockey—he feels at home in Pittsburgh.

“Feel like they're very similar cities... blue-collar towns," he said."It's comfortable… easy feel welcomed here… allowing play free mind."

“It’s just you can be yourself.”

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