Red Wings Notebook: Nedeljkovic Injured at LCA; Hirose Buzzing

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was injured playing against his former Detroit Red Wings team Monday night.

Nedeljovic played for Detroit in 2021-22 and 2022-23. He was supposed to play the entire game. But he left the game at 13:04 of the first period.  Replays showed him holding his midsection after making a couple of saves.  Joel Blomqvist replaced him.

After the game, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said Nedeljkovic suffered a lower body injury. More information would be available today after he is evaluated. Nedeljkovic was an important figure in Pittsburgh late-season surge that fell just short of earning the Penguins a playoff spot.

Hot Hirose

Former Detroit Red Wings player Taro Hirose may have found the best league for him when he signed with the Munich Red Bull team in the German League.

In his first three games with the team, former Michigan State player Hirose has put up three goals and three assists for six points. Munich has started 3-0 and have outscored its opposition, 16-9.

Hirose, 28, played five years for Detroit and Grand Rapids (AHL) before deciding to jump to the German League.

Tor durch Taro Hirose zum 2-4 in der #PENNYDEL Partie Straubing Tigers vs EHC Red Bull München 🚨

Alle Spiele der @DELoffiziell gibt es live bei #MagentaSport 📺#redbulls #miiinga #hockey #gameday #goal pic.twitter.com/K9tpL6WbFj

— EHC Red Bull München (@RedBullMuenchen) September 29, 2024

Switzerland Working Out

Filip Zadina is having the offensive success in Switzerland he couldn’t quite find in the NHL. The former Red Wings first round pick shows three goals and five points in his first six games for Davos. He is second on the team in scoring. His Davos team is near the bottom of the Swiss National League standings with a 1-2-1-2 record (Eight points).

Zadina signed with Davos after scoring 13 goals for the San Jose Sharks last season.

Meanwhile, Austin Czarnik, who played 34 games for the Red Wings last season, has six points in his first five games for Bern SC in the Swiss League. Another former Red Wings player, Dominik Kubalik has a goal and three assists for four points for Ambri Piotta.