For the first time in a long time, the Detroit Redwings are considered to be a possible playoff team. The wings have gotten great play from a lot of players, of course C' Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, and the two phenomenal rookies, Moritz Seider and NHL rookie score leader, Lucas Raymond. The big story behind the early success for Detroit is GM Steve Yzerman, his ability to draft phenomenal talent has sped up the rebuild, but it was a trade this off-season that has propelled this team to play at this level...
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Alex Nedeljkovic was no stranger to playing in Michigan when his agent alerted him of the news that he was traded to the Detroit Redwings. Nedeljkovic played 1,122 minutes as goaltender for the Flint Firebirds of the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) in the 2015-2016 season. Before playing for the Firebirds Nedeljkovic played 4 seasons with the Plymouth Whalers and one with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. He went 19-2-2 with a 2.28 goals-against average and . 923 save percentage in 26 games and was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team in 2012-13. In 2013-14 he was 26-27-7 with a 2.88 GAA and . 925 save percentage in 61 games with Plymouth and was named the best goalie in the OHL. It was after playing for the Everblades that Ned went to Flint to join the Firebirds roster Nedeljkovic was traded to the Niagra IceDogs in a goalie swap, obviously it was a trade the Firebirds regreated...
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Alex Nedeljkovic was drafted 37th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricane. Carolina never gave Nedeljkovic his big opportunity in the organization, and who would've thought that being traded to Detroit to join Thomas Griess would propel his career and propel the Detroit Redwings to playoff contention...
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On July 22, the Detroit Redwings official Twitter account announced that they acquired Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic in exchange for Jonathan Bernier and a 3rd round pick from Las Vegas. This proved to be a steal for the Redwings and yet again, another team made a mistake by trading Nedeljkovic, this time a Michigan team came out on the positive side of the deal. Alex Nedeljkovic's debut came against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team Steve Yzerman lead to a Stanley Cup as GM. It was an offensive onslaught from both teams, Nedeljkovic played the full 60 minutes of regulation and continued in overtime, the Wings lost 7-6 that night. But Alex Nedeljkovic has been the glue holding together the brick wall for the Wings, he is 8-6-3, 2.81 GAA, .915 SV%. That may not seem so flashy on paper, but Nedeljkovic has been a key piece this season, which raises the question...
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Should the Redwings give an early extension to Ned?
The Detroit Redwings are the Detroit Tigers of the NHL, on they're way to a stretch of contending seasons and they have a stacked lineup of up & coming talent in the farm system. One of the up & coming young stars for Detroit is 6' 6" goalie Sebastian Cossa, who experts believe has potential to be a top 5 goaltender in the NHL. Nedeljkovic in my opinion is already close to being a top 5 goalie in the NHL with his insane athleticism and ability. As Hockey fans know, you need two solid goalies to contend in the NHL, very similar with how you manage Catchers in Major League Baseball. Thomas Griess, who is serving as the #2 goalie for Detroit is a good goalie, but "good" is as far as he's gonna get and soon your gonna have the chance to have two potential top 5 goaltenders in the NHL. After getting Nedeljkovic, the Redwings signed him to a 2-year contract that expires in 2023. At just 26 years old, Alex Nedeljkovic has plenty of top level goaltending ahead of him. Steve Yzerman might wanna think about extending Nedeljkovic to ensure he's there throughout the Redwings stretch of contending seasons in the next few years... Perhaps an extension comes as early as this season for Ned and the Redwings...
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Thanks for the read
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