The Daily: Pens May Not Keep Ex-Red Wings Player; Bruins Goalie Update

Former Detroit Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was the Pittsburgh Penguins starter down the stretch, but he could be a one-and-done player for the organization.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski writes that signs point to the Penguins not re-signing Ned.

Nedeljkovic will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

“(Nedeljkovic’s) been very vocal about his views (wanting to return),” Dubas said. “As I said to him yesterday, we have a situation where we have a young goaltender that’s also pushing, Joel Bloomqvist,” Dubas said. “We’re going to use this next stretch of weeks, the last two games with (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins) … and then really (important), the playoffs with Wilkes. How does Joel play? Can he assert himself at that level? And then we’ll have more information on how we want to go ahead with our goaltending.”

As Kingerski points out, that does sound that it’s Bloomqvist’s job to lose. Tristan Jarry’s long-term contract assures him the other Pittsburgh spot.

Alex Nedeljkovic, on his experience in Pittsburgh and if he wants to return (he is set to become an unrestricted free agent, as he was on a one-year deal): pic.twitter.com/gTrRykUOKI

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) April 18, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• GM Steve Yzerman hopes the Red Wings make the playoffs next season, but says it is going to be more challenging even than this season.
• How much will it cost to persuade defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere to stay in Detroit? Yzerman said he’s very interested in convincing Gostisbehere to stay.
• J.T. Compher says he needed to be better next season for the Red Wings to be better.

Red Wings Offseason

The Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL affiliate, holds a one-point lead over the Rockford IceHogs for second place in the Central Division. The Griffins play the Milwaukee Admirals today in Grand Rapids. The IceDogs are in Chicago to play the Wolves today. Rockford and Grand Rapids will play each other in the AHL playoffs. Home ice will be important.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins dominate the Maple Leafs. Coach Jim Montgomery doesn’t commit to Swayman for Game 2.

Colorado: Jonathan Drouin will miss the Colorado Avalanche first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets.

Chicago: Connor Bedard will play for Canada at the World Championships. Philipp Kurashev will play for Switzerland, Chicago Blackhawks.