Alex Nedeljkovic recently made a remark that, while not surprising, might have been missed by many, including those who follow the team closely. The Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender, who signed a two-year, $5 million contract in June to stay with the team despite the pressure from top prospects vying for his spot, hinted at the kind of attitude that earned him 15 consecutive starts at the end of last season.
Coach Mike Sullivan praised Nedeljkovic for his feistiness and the “battle” he brought to the team. This kind of gritty performance was exactly what the Penguins needed, especially after a period of uninspired play that saw them repeatedly underperform.
While Nedeljkovic may not necessarily become the starting goalie, the increased scrappiness and tougher attitude he brings could be crucial. The Penguins need to move beyond tired clichés like “We played well enough to win” and “There was a lot to like about our game.” They need to infuse some edge and resistance into their gameplay.
Reflecting on the past, the Penguins had a playoff spot within reach at the end of the 2022-23 season, but faltered despite the presence of key players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The same issues plagued them last season, even with the addition of Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. The team often seemed to expect their past success to carry them, rather than adapting to current challenges.
The trade of Jake Guentzel and the subsequent additions of Michael Bunting and Nedeljkovic aimed to bring some much-needed grit. While these moves didn’t single-handedly turn the team around, they contributed to a shift in attitude. The Penguins came close to a historic comeback, but ultimately fell short due to costly losses and blown leads.
As they head into the new season, there is a sense of uncertainty. Crosby’s contract situation and Dubas’s focus on acquiring draft picks instead of high-profile free agents suggest a team in transition. However, Nedeljkovic’s recent comments reflect a hopeful and determined mindset that the Penguins can build on.
“If we’re a little bit more consistent throughout the year, then there’s no doubt in my mind that we can be a playoff team and surprise a lot of people who maybe count us out,” Nedeljkovic said.
With key players still on the roster and a renewed focus on competitiveness, the Penguins have a chance to make things interesting this season.