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Penguins Reportedly Facing Tough Ultimatum With Goalie Alex Nedelkjovic
The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly facing an ultimatum with goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, who has a year left on his contract and largely struggled this year.
It looked as though Alex Nedeljkovic replaced Tristan Jarry as the starting goaltender for the Penguins, as he helped them come within striking distance of a playoff spot in 2024 and then was rewarded with a 2-year contract extension.
Additionally, Jarry would eventually be sent down to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins thanks to his struggles in the early goings of this season.
But Nedeljkovic would struggle himself and didn't come close to replicating his performance from the year prior, and with a year left on his contract, there is doubt about another extension coming his way from the Penguins.
Per Josh Yohe of The Athletic, while the Penguins "love" Nedeljkovic, they would have no problem making him available via trade for another club that needs goaltending depth.
The Penguins love Nedeljkovic as a person, but he didn't have a good season. He has one year left on his deal. They're fine with him being the backup next season, but if someone wants him, he's available. The Penguins would be content with bringing Joel Blomqvist to the NHL and letting Sergei Murashov have all the playing time he wants in AHL Wilkes-Barre.
Blomqvist got in several games at the NHL level this year, while the Penguins also feel very highly of Murashov and are looking for him to take the next steps in his professional career.
Jarry still has multiple years left on his deal and could find himself as a backup in 2025-26, but how much longer Nedeljkovic has with the team remains to be seen.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 17 | 214 ANSWERS Penguins Reportedly Facing Tough Ultimatum With Goalie Alex Nedelkjovic Who are you more comfortable with as the Penguins' starting goaltender? | ||
| Alex Nedeljkovic | 34 | 15.9 % |
| Tristan Jarry | 28 | 13.1 % |
| Neither | 152 | 71 % |
| List of polls | ||