Alex Nedeljkovic was traded to the San Jose Sharks by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday for a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
The 29-year-old goalie was 14-15-5 with a 3.12 goals-against average, .894 save percentage and one shutout in 38 games (35 starts) for the Penguins last season. He is entering the final season of a two-year, $5 million contract ($2.5 million average annual value) he signed with Pittsburgh on June 20, 2024.
Nedeljkovic said he was "a little surprised" by the trade.
"Obviously, yesterday was busy day around the league," Nedeljkovic said. "A lot of guys signing new contracts and stuff, and I think you don't really expect the trade to happen. Anytime you get traded, a little bit of surprise comes out to play, but [I'm] definitely very excited."
Selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (No. 37) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Nedeljkovic is 74-60-27 with a 3.00 GAA, .903 save percentage and nine shutouts in 179 regular-season games (160 starts) for the Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings and Penguins and 4-5 with a 2.17 GAA and .920 save percentage in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Getting [Nedeljkovic] in net was big for us. (He's) someone who can push [Yaroslav Askarov] and is a proven winner in this league," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said. "He's a really solid guy, and [coach Ryan Warsofsky has] spent some time with him. A competitive guy. Having competition the net was important for us, so we're happy to get him in."
The Sharks (20-50-12) finished last in the NHL standings last season and have not qualified for the playoffs the past six seasons.
The Penguins (34-36-12) finished 14th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.
