The Sharks have got their first bit of business done today, signing goaltender Alex Nedljkovic to a two-year, $6 million extension ($3 million AAV). Nedljkovic was a pending UFA.
The Sharks acquired Nedljkovic from Pittsburgh in the offseason for a 3rd-round-pick and have gotten solid production out of the veteran backup. Nedlkjovic has posted a 2.83 GAA and a 902 save percentage in 26 games this season as Yaroslav Askarov’s backup. Nedeljkovic has actually outperformed the young netminder this season, who has struggled with consistency.
Extending Nedeljkovic now likely solidifies the Sharks' crease for the rest of this season and likely the next. Nedeljkovic may not be a starter-caliber goaltender, but he is a solid backup who can operate as a 1B in the right situation, and could easily slot in as a full-time backup if Askarov figures it out over the next 2 years. With a 3-million AAV being fair value for what he brings on the ice, and will hardly be a concern with just a 2-year term.
The Sharks were rumored to be circling around Sergei Bobrovsky, but by extending Nedeljkovic, that fit has all but been squashed. It would have been a funny moment if the Sharks acquired Bobrovsky at the expense of Nedeljkovic after their fight earlier this season.
The Sharks will now turn their focus to the rest of their roster as they continue to navigate this year's trade deadline. They are rumored to be kicking tires on adding another forward and a top-4 defenseman.