Bolts by the Bay
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Five backup goalie options next season for the Tampa Bay Lightning

By Stephen Parrino

Mar 11, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Brian Elliott (1) makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Brian Elliott (1) makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 14, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) makes a save in front of Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) in the third period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) makes a save in front of Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) in the third period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Nedeljkovic

Age: 27
2022-23 Contract: $3,000,000
Stats: 15 GP | 3.53 GAA | 0.895 SV%

Nedeljkovic is an intriguing rebound play that goes against the late career veterans that the team has looked for recently. Having been a Calder Trophy finalist with the Hurricanes in 2021, he was acquired by Detroit in hopes of becoming their rock in net — playing 59 games in 2022 — but posted replacement level numbers that continued into the 2023 season. Eventually, he found himself sent down to the AHL.

Without a multi-year proven track record to support him, Nedeljkovic is an inherently risky choice, but his time in Carolina proved that he can be a strong option with a good team in front of him.

I do not imagine that he will be able to lineup in a starting or co-starting role on any team after his performance this season, but signing for a year with a good team in a backup role, and rebuilding his form, could be his best chance at getting back into a starting role in the league.

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