Daily Faceoff’s Mike McKenna posted a list of five goalies which the former NHL goalkeeper feels will perform better during the 2022-2023 season, and Alex Nedeljkovic cracked McKenna’s list (as did former Red Wing Thomas Greiss):
Alex Nedeljkovic: It was a tale of two seasons for Nedeljkovic and the Red Wings last year. The first half was fantastic. The second half was miserable. And life as a goaltender reflects that.
Sure, there were a few blowup games where Nedeljkovic allowed a pile of goals. But Detroit’s defense last season — especially in the second half — was an absolute travesty. The fact that Nedeljkovic was able to post a .901 save percentage in 59 games is something of a minor miracle.
The Red Wings have added considerable talent throughout their lineup and brought in Derek Lalonde as head coach. There is every reason to believe that Detroit will not only be improved next season, but they could also make a run at the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
There will be competition in the crease with incoming goaltending partner Ville Husso. But never count out someone in a contract year. Nedeljkovic’s deal is up at the end of the 2022–23 season. Behind a restocked and rejuvenated team in Detroit, I fully expect his numbers to improve.
Continued; here’s hoping that a summer rehabilitating a “lower-body injury” will give Nedeljkovic the jumping-off point necessary to have a better season to come.
