The San Jose Sharks have completed a trade to bring goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to their roster, acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a 2028 third-round draft pick, announced General Manager Mike Grier. This move, finalized in 2024, aims to strengthen the Sharks’ goaltending as they look toward the future.
Career Highlights and Recent Performance
Alex Nedeljkovic, 29, played 38 games with the Penguins last season, achieving a 14-15-5 record, a 3.12 goals-against average (GAA), and a .894 save percentage. He also appeared briefly in the American Hockey League with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he recorded a 1-0-0 record, a 3.00 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. Over 179 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL games spanning his time with Carolina, Detroit, and Pittsburgh, Nedeljkovic holds a 74-60-27 record, a 3.00 GAA, and a .903 save percentage, including nine career shutouts.
Notable Achievements in Nedeljkovic’s Career
In the 2020-21 season—the first full NHL season for Nedeljkovic—he led the league with a remarkable 1.90 GAA and .932 save percentage, earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team and finishing third in Calder Trophy voting for the league’s best rookie. That same year, he contributed strongly in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 2.17 GAA and .920 save percentage across nine games with the Hurricanes.
Beyond his goaltending skills, Nedeljkovic has also made history for his offensive contributions. On January 17, 2025, he scored his first NHL goal, becoming the 16th goalie in NHL history to score. In that same game, he became the first goaltender to both score a goal and record an assist, and remains the only goalie to have scored in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL.
Extensive AHL Experience and Honors
Nedeljkovic has also showcased his talent extensively in the AHL, playing 182 games for teams such as Charlotte, Grand Rapids, and Wilkes-Barre. His AHL accolades include winning the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the league’s best goaltender and being named a First Team All-Star in 2018-2019. He was part of the Calder Cup Championship-winning team in 2019 alongside then-Checkers assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky and earned another First All-Star Team honor in 2020.
International Representation and Background
Representing the United States, Nedeljkovic has competed in the 2024 World Championships, the 2016 World Junior Championships where he won bronze, and the 2014 U-18 Championships, adding a gold medal to his achievements. Standing six feet tall and weighing 203 pounds, Nedeljkovic is a native of Parma, Ohio, and was originally drafted 37th overall in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Implications of the Trade for the Sharks
The acquisition of Alex Nedeljkovic offers the San Jose Sharks a seasoned goaltender with a proven track record and leadership potential, enhancing their roster as they aim to improve their competitiveness. With his experience across multiple leagues and critical playoff moments, Nedeljkovic’s arrival signals a strategic move for the Sharks looking ahead to upcoming seasons and establishing a solid defensive foundation.