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Alex Nedeljkovic solidifies himself as the number one goaltender
Published April 3, 2024 at 2:08 PM
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Alex Nedeljkovic has stepped up recently and proven to the Penguins why he is the number one guy right now between the pipes
Over the span of the last six important games, Alex Nedeljkovic has helped the Penguins go 4-0-2, getting them within three points of the final wild card playoff spot. So, what will happen next year?Jarry is signed through the 2027-28 season with a cap hit of $5.38 a year. This contract was designed for Jarry to remain as the Penguins starting goaltender. With Nedeljkovic only signed through this season for $1.5 million, the thought must be, what will the Penguins do for next year?
Ned stopped 38 of 39 shots against the Hurricanes, and helped the Penguins stay in the game against both the Rangers and Devils. Mike Sullivan had this to say about his recent game play when asked Tuesday night.
«I just think it provides more affirmation that what we felt about him is actually the case — that he's a fierce competitor. He wants the net. He wants to be in there. He wants to compete. And he battles.»
Must read on Penguins Latest
Tristian Jarry was supposed to start Monday night against the Rangers, but caught the stomach bug that seemed to plague the Penguins. Crosby had nothing but praise for the 28-year-old netminder after the Rangers game.
«[Given] what's at stake, against a really good team here that definitely tested him, he was great. He made some huge saves to keep us in it.»
With Blomqvist in the wings, and ready to make the next step into the NHL the Penguins have something to think about when it comes to who will be the goalie next year.
If Kyle Dubas wanted to trade Jarry, he might have a hard time finding a team who may want a inconsistent goaltender who lost 6 of 7 and was pulled from three games before Nedeljkovic stepped up.
It seems the best option for the Penguins would be to keep the three goalies. Assuming that Nedeljkovic would want to stay, and not test the market for a higher contract. In an article by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last month, he indicated that he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh.
As for now, Nedeljkovic has made a case for himself as the No. 1 guy between the pipes for the Penguins for the rest of the season, and maybe the playoffs.
As Read On: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2024/04/03/alex-nedeljkovic-pittsburgh-penguins-tristan-jarry/stories/202404010085?fbclid=IwAR2971MKMM5kjk77wl9zBszbkW_X0Xx9Ypkw6WYnIhCJHieaekLpASGIOvM_aem_Aa0KXZ3uuIG-LZ5QN4OT6PpF90JCHYSETEL_IMIYEaF8rrBhuMuE1G6_ia5WFjtlk18C_-Ov9CW6j0VQz4oXXxAx
| POLL | ||
April 3 | 89 answers Alex Nedeljkovic solidifies himself as the number one goaltender Do you think that Alex Nedeljkovic has earned his way to the No. 1 spot as starting goaltender? | ||
| Yes | 84 | 94.4 % |
| No | 5 | 5.6 % |
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