Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic could be back with the team soon. His 2024 season debut, as a result of a conditioning assignment with the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, was a success.
Friday night, Nedeljkovic saved 33 out of 36 shots on goal to help Wilkes Barre/Scranton win the game over the Leigh Valley Phantom by the score of 4-3.
Nedeljkovic is recovering from an undisclosed preseason injury. In his absence, the Penguins have been utilizing Joel Blomqvist and Tristan Jarry. Jarry has not played well while Blomqvist has exceeded expectations. Blomqvist kept the Penguins in their Friday night loss to the Carolina Hurricanes with spectacular saves.
What happens when Nedeljkovic returns to Pittsburgh's roster?
Prior to the start of the season, many would have predicted that Blomqvist would have been sent to Wilkes Barre/Scranton when Nedeljkovic got healthy. Fans no longer believe this to be the case. Blomqvist has outperformed Jarry in ever statistical area so Jarry, a nine-year veteran, could be the odd man out.
It is worth noting that Jarry has been the source of numerious fan complaints in the early stages of the season, but poor goalie play was not the problem with Blomqvist in the Carolina loss.
Jarry is one problem, but others need to be addressed. Blomqvist has held his own, but the Penguins did not help his cause on Friday night. Until the team consistently succeeds in power plays, can be on the offensive, takes and keeps early leads, and does not continuously play defensively and from behind, there will be difficult nights like Friday's loss to Carolina.
Could Nedeljkovic join the team for the upcoming West Coast swing?
There has been no official word on when Nedeljkovic will return to the Penguins roster. The team is embarking on a West Coast/Canadian swing stopping in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver for four tough road games in a seven day period so if he is healthy and ready, it would be prudent to have him on the roster.
Blomqvist has been outstanding, but his inexperience is a concern especially over the next week as the 3-3 third place Penguins cannot afford a road trip losing streak as they attempt to keep pace with the first place New Jersey Devils and the second place New York Rangers.