Detroit Red Wings: Offseason will be important for Alex Nedeljkovic
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings need to be upset with goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic‘s performance during the 2021-22 season. While the season just recently ended and looking back on things this early might be a bit pre-mature, it feels like it’s not the best move.
If the Detroit Red Wings were wise, this offseason will be viewed as a big one for Nedeljkovic for a multitude of reasons. After a lackluster performance in 2021-22 after coming to the new organization, improvements must be made.
Nedeljkovic has been saying the right things and seems committed to getting things back on track, but time will tell. This offseason will be an ample opportunity for things like that to get ironed out so he can be much better in 2022-23.
With the recent firing of Jeff Blashill and goaltending coach Jeff Salajko, there’s going to be a change at the top, which could prove to be a big deal for the team’s “best” netminder. Even in a 1A/1B scenario, Nedeljkovic will likely be the team’s best option.
Detroit Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic needs a big offseason.
The Detroit Red Wings would be absolutely silly not to try and find a goaltending coach who feels that they can work with Nedeljkovic to get him back on track. He’s coming off of his first season in Detroit, where he logged 59 games for the organization.
He would produce a 20-24-9 record with a .901 save percentage, a 3.31 goals-against average, and an adjusted GAA of 3.40. Any way that you look at it, there is room for improvement for the Red Wings goalie.
Especially after this year’s performance in a season where he was considered to be on Calder Trophy watch. The early indications showed that Nedeljkovic was going to be a stud for the Red Wings, but as of right now, it does not look like that.
When the new goaltending coach comes in, it could allow room for changes to be made that will benefit Nedeljkovic. After all, the hope is going to be there since Nedeljkovic is going to be around for the 2022-23 season with his $3 million annual value contract that goes through this season.
Must Read. Detroit Red Wings: Jakub Vrána’s scoring touch continues to be intriguing. light
It’s too early to pull the trigger on Nedeljkovic playing a role moving forward, but there’s plenty of room for things to get better. Between a new coach and a full offseason, I think Nedeljkovic can figure it all out in due time.
Trust the Yzerplan, it will all work out.