Penguins Sign Alex Nedeljkovic to a One-Year Contract

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to a one-year contract, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas.

The one-year deal runs through the 2023-24 campaign and carries an average annual value of $1.5 million.

Nedeljkovic, 27, spent the 2022-23 season split between the Detroit Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. While with Detroit, Nedeljkovic, suited up for 15 games and went 5-7-2. With Grand Rapids, he went 13-9-3 with a 2.71 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage and one shutout in 26 games. His .912 save percentage was tied for ninth in the AHL.

The 6-foot, 208-pound netminder has played parts of six seasons in the NHL split between Carolina and Detroit where he's suited up for 103 regular-season games going 42-38-15 with a 2.96 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and seven shutouts. He also has nine games of Stanley Cup Playoff experience with Carolina where he's gone 4-5 with a 2.17 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

Nedeljkovic's best season came during his rookie campaign in 2020-21 where he went 15-5-3 with a 1.90 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage and three shutouts. His 1.90 goals-against average and .932 save percentage ranked first in the NHL among (min. 15 GP). For his efforts, he was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team, and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie.

At the AHL level, Nedeljkovic has appeared in 180 games, going 102-54-17 with a 2.59 goals-against average, .906 save percentage and 15 shutouts. He and Penguins' assistant coach Mike Vellucci won the Calder Cup Championship with Charlotte in 2019, and he was named to the AHL's First All-Star Team that same year.

The native of Parma, Ohio has medaled with Team USA on multiple occasions. He won a gold medal at the 2014 World Under-18 Championship and a bronze medal at the 2016 World Junior Championship.

Prior to being drafted by Carolina in the second round (37th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft, Nedeljkovic spent four seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with Plymoth, Flint and Niagara from 2012-16.