Penguins Rumors: Alex Nedeljkovic’s Future With Pittsburgh Fading

Alex Nedeljkovic may be under contract through 2025-26, but that doesn’t mean his place with the Pittsburgh Penguins is secure. 

Despite a promising close to the previous season, the 28-year-old netminder struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout 2024-25, and the team’s front office is now signaling a potential shakeup in the crease. With president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas looking for long-term development and open competition, Nedeljkovic will be fighting for his job when training camp rolls around.

Nedeljkovic played the most games of any Penguins goalie this past season (38), but the results weren’t encouraging: a 14-15-5 record, 3.12 goals-against average, and a .894 save percentage. 

He described his own performance as “just all right,” acknowledging there’s “plenty of room for improvement.” The Penguins, meanwhile, failed to reach the playoffs for the third straight year and are entering a summer of major transition—already parting ways with head coach Mike Sullivan and allowing goaltending coach Andy Chiodo to explore other opportunities.

Dubas Eyeing Younger Options in Net

While Dubas has publicly stated that both Nedeljkovic and starter Tristan Jarry are expected back, he also made it clear that there will be fierce competition from prospects Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov. “Those guys are going to be given every opportunity to win jobs,” Dubas said in April, hinting that no veteran’s role is guaranteed. Given that goaltending was a glaring weakness for Pittsburgh in 2024-25, it’s understandable the organization might lean into youth if results don’t improve early next season.

🚨 ALEX NEDLJKOVIC WITH THE GOALIE GOAL AND HIS 2ND PONT OF THE NIGHT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/J4Yfa7Klxq

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 18, 2025

Nedeljkovic knows the stakes and isn’t shying away from the challenge. “All I can control is just showing up every day with a good attitude and the right mindset to get better,” he said during his exit interview. But in a city growing restless for playoff hockey again, the margin for error has never been smaller.

Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images