{"id":490591,"date":"2026-03-07T05:23:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T05:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/490591\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T05:23:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T05:23:18","slug":"what-led-nedeljkovic-back-to-sharks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/490591\/","title":{"rendered":"What Led Nedeljkovic Back to Sharks?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What led Alex Nedeljkovic back to the San Jose Sharks?<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old, who\u2019s posted an 11-9-2 record and .902 Save % this season, said that serious conversations about his two-year, $6 million extension began about two weeks ago between Mike Grier and his agent, Richard Evans. Nedeljkovic preferred getting this extension done now, versus testing the market in free agency.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho knows what happens, there\u2019s still 20-something games left,\u201d Nedeljkovic said. \u201cThen you\u2019ve got to wait three months\u2026 for playoffs to be done, and then the draft, and a lot can happen in that time. So, we were excited. I was excited when Mike [Grier] said there was interest in getting something done.\u201d<\/p>\n

The veteran goalie could\u2019ve gotten a decent payday this offseason. Among pending UFA goalies to play at least 10 games this season, Nedeljkovic is tied for first in Save % with the Florida Panthers\u2019 Daniil Tarasov.<\/p>\n

The #TheFutureIsTeal<\/a> signed 30 y\/o G Alex Nedeljkovic to a 2 year $3M cap hit extension<\/p>\n

Yr 1: $2M Salary, $1M Signing Bonus
Yr 2: $3M Salary<\/p>\n

3 Team Trade List in 1st year, no trade protection in 2nd year<\/p>\n

Rep’d by Richard Evans @wassermanhockey<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/RIIIGLc9kI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t want to go anywhere. We had talked about it. We wanted to stick around,\u201d Nedeljkovic said, referring to his family.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a young team that\u2019s growing and taking steps in the right direction. So, to have that stability and little bit of security the next couple years\u2026 It\u2019s just exciting. You just never know. The grass isn\u2019t always greener.\u201d<\/p>\n

Notably, Nedeljkovic will have a three-team trade list next season, but no trade protection the following year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings change very quick in this league,\u201d Nedeljkovic said. \u201cLast time I signed a two-year deal, I didn\u2019t make it through the entire thing. So, I\u2019m hoping that\u2019s not the case here. We\u2019d love to play it out here, but you just take it day by day. Nothing changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nedeljkovic was talking about the two-year, $6 million contract that he inked with the Detroit Red Wings in the summer of 2021 to be their starter.<\/p>\n

Equally as important as Nedeljkovic\u2019s on-ice play, if not more, is his mentoring of the team\u2019s goalie of the future, Yaroslav Askarov. Nedeljkovic wants to support the youngster the same way James Reimer, Petr Mrazek, and Thomas Greiss supported him early in his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp him out and encourage him, try to be a positive voice for him,\u201d Nedeljkovic said of his dynamic with Askarov. \u201cIt\u2019s a hard position. It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s Year 1 or Year 10, the pressure is always on and there\u2019s a lot of challenges that come with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The newly-extended San Jose Sharks<\/a> goalie will start on Friday against the St. Louis Blues, and keep the same mental approach he\u2019s maintained all season.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust be a little bit more consistent and give the guys a chance to win every time it\u2019s my night to go,\u201d Nedeljkovic said. \u201cTonight\u2019s no different\u2026 We\u2019ll just take it one shot at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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