Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman resigned another veteran, again showing a willingness to lose a player who doesn’t live up to expectations.
Goaltender Alex Nedelyovic resigned on Sunday afternoon, two days before the end of the minor league training period. If Nedelkovic clears, he could be assigned to the minors. That’s what happened earlier this month when striker Jakub Vrana was sent off and sent off.
Yzerman did not address the two steps in the media.
The move comes as Nedeljkovic has struggled to recapture the form he showed last season as the Wings’ starter. He is 2-4-2 with a 4.09 goals-against average and .880 save percentage.
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The move shows the Wings are comfortable with Magnus Helberg as Will Husso’s backup. Helberg is 2-3-0 with a 2.81 GAA and an .896 save percentage. Hellberg is also significantly cheaper, earning $750,000 compared to Nedelkovich’s $3 million. Both are on expiring contracts.
Nedeljkovic was traded to the Grand Rapids Griffins on January 4th. He made 27 saves in Saturday’s 1-0 win over the Chicago Wolves, improving his save percentage to .920 and his GAA to 2.30 in six games with the Griffins.
When the scrimmage began, Wings head coach Derek LaLonde said the Wings “didn’t give up on Ned,” but ultimately it was Yzerman’s decision. Nedeljkovic counted on the 23-man roster during conditioning, and the move opens up a spot. Philippe Zadina was expected to be available for this week’s trip, but Lalonde said Friday that Zadina could be ready to return from a lower-body injury by the end of the month.
Vrana, who was reinstated on Dec. 16 after spending two months in the player assistance program, was waived on Jan. 3 and was dismissed and assigned to the minors on Jan. 4. He was a healthy scratch in two games after posting one assist and a minus-6 rating through his first six games. At the time, Lalonde said the decision was up to Griffin coach Ben Simon. “It’s his team. We did not discuss it. You have the right to make your own decisions.” Vrana returned to the lineup on Saturday and was scoreless and tied.
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