The Detroit Red Wings have brought Alex Nedeljkovic back up from the minor leagues, recalling him under emergency conditions today. Ville Husso was absent at practice, meaning Magnus Hellberg is expected to start when the Red Wings take on the St. Louis Blues this evening.
Nedeljkovic, 27, played his way out of the NHL after exploding onto the scene a few years ago and has been starting for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL for most of this season. The former Carolina Hurricanes prospect was given a two-year, $6M contract in 2021 after being acquired in a trade that was generally considered a steal for the Red Wings.
Giving up a third-round pick for a starting goaltender looked great initially, but Nedeljkovic would post a .901 save percentage in 59 games with the Red Wings last season, leading to the summer acquisition of Husso. This year, in nine appearances in the NHL, Nedeljkovic has a .880 save percentage.
He cleared waivers, was assigned to the minor leagues, and appears to be headed for unrestricted free agency this summer. Whatever he can do down the stretch for Detroit will only help his case in the offseason, as he looks for another chance to play regularly in the NHL.
More must-reads: