The San Jose Sharks have finalized a trade to acquire goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic from the Pittsburgh Penguins, sending a third-round draft pick in 2028 to Pittsburgh in return. This move addresses the Sharks’ need for goaltending depth ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season by pairing Nedeljkovic with their promising goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
Sharks Fill Goalie Gap Following Previous Roster Changes
Earlier this year, the Sharks parted ways with Vitek Vanecek via trade and allowed Alexandar Georgiev to leave as an unrestricted free agent, leaving a void at the backup goaltender position. By acquiring Nedeljkovic, San Jose secures a reliable option to complement Askarov, enhancing their goaltending stability for upcoming seasons.
Penguins Gain Future Draft Assets as Rebuild Continues
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, the trade adds another valuable asset to their growing stockpile of draft picks, now holding 28 selections across the next three NHL drafts, including 16 in the first three rounds. This approach supports their ongoing rebuild strategy as they accumulate future talent. While the Penguins may have preferred to move Tristan Jarry’s contract, Nedeljkovic presented a more practical option for roster flexibility and potential future moves.
Additionally, this trade clears a roster spot, allowing young goaltender Joel Blomqvist the opportunity to compete for a full-time NHL role next season unless the Penguins pursue another goaltender acquisition.
Details on Alex Nedeljkovic’s Recent Performance and Contract Status
Nedeljkovic is entering the final year of a two-year contract with a $2.5 million cap hit and will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season. His 2023-24 season saw him establish himself as Pittsburgh’s starting goalie, but his performance dipped somewhat in 2024-25, posting a 14-15-5 record, an .894 save percentage, one shutout, and a -0.92 5v5 goals saved above expected metric.
During the 2024-25 season, Nedeljkovic also played a conditioning stint with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In that appearance, he allowed three goals on 33 shots, finishing with a .917 save percentage and contributing to a win.
Career Journey of Alex Nedeljkovic
Drafted in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014 out of the OHL, Nedeljkovic made his NHL debut during the 2016-17 season with a brief relief appearance. After sporadic NHL appearances over the next three seasons, he secured a regular NHL role beginning in 2020-21. Following that, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, where he spent two seasons before signing with the Penguins as a free agent, making Pittsburgh his home for the last two years.
Implications for Both Teams Moving Forward
This trade helps the Sharks solidify their goaltending roster, providing a dependable backup in Nedeljkovic as they prepare for the 2025-26 season. For Pittsburgh, acquiring an additional draft pick aligns with their rebuilding efforts while opening opportunities for younger players like Joel Blomqvist to develop at the NHL level. As Nedeljkovic approaches unrestricted free agency next summer, both teams will keep an eye on potential contract decisions and further roster adjustments.