Detroit Red Wings got a good one with Alex Nedeljkovic

The Detroit Red Wings traded for netminder Alex Nedeljkovic this offseason to kick things off. They also would add to his contract and keep him around for a few years to come; they truly got a good one and fleeced the Hurricanes.

It took some time, and the Detroit Red Wings had to let Nedeljkovic settle in with his new squad, but he has become a crucial part of this team’s performance. The young netminder has NHL experience, but this is his first full season as a tandem guy and starter since bursting into the league.

The Red Wings netminder dons no. 39, which is the same number that Dominik Hasek used to wear. Just dropping the name along should have some fans excited about how great Red Wings goaltending used to be.

While Jimmy Howard was a quality option, the dominator got it done, and now Nedeljkovic is starting to come into his own. I’m not saying Nedeljkovic is the next Vezina winner, heading for a career like Hasek, but he keeps the Red Wings in games.

The Detroit Red Wings got a good one with Alex Nedeljkovic.

While the Red Wings defense has not been flawless, Nedeljkovic has handled shots and kept the team moving in the right direction. He makes some incredible saves and truly does find ways to keep the opposition out of the back of the net.

So far in the 2021-22 season, Nedeljkovic has played in 13 games where he has played to a 5-3-3 record. He has a .917 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.76 goals-against average (GAA). It’s been fun to watch Nedeljkovic go out there and make some incredible saves for the Red Wings.

He’s played the majority of the games as the starter in 2021-22 but has a quality battery mate in Thomas Greiss. Having a quality netminder like Nedeljkovic makes the Red Wings an even better team and puts them in an even better spot for the future, knowing that Nedeljkovic can bail them out at times.

It may have taken some time, but Nedeljkovic has settled in nicely and has made some highlight-reel saves, deflecting pucks with the tip of his pad, the thin part of his stick, or even barely-nabbing a puck with his glove.

These big-time saves are important to a netminder being able to handle pressure and perform in big games. While the Red Wings are likely not going to be heading for a Stanley Cup Championship this season, having a netminder who will be reliable for a few years is exciting.

Not to mention, Sebastian Cossa was selected with a first-round draft pick this season, do not forget about him.