The Detroit Red Wings have acquired Alex Nedeljkovic from the Carolina Hurricanes.
The team announced the move Thursday afternoon, shortly after the trade freeze that was imposed during the expansion draft had lifted.
General manager Steve Yzerman sent the No. 94 pick in the 2021 draft and the rights to veteran goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Yzerman locked up Nedeljkovic for two years at a $3 million annual salary cap hit.
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Nedeljkovic, a 2021 finalist for the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) will share goaltending duties next season with Thomas Greiss, who is under contract through 2021-22.
In making the trade, Yzerman essentially swapped a 32-year-old in Bernier, who was coming off a contract making $3 million a year for a 25-year-old in Nedeljkovic making the same money. Nedeljkovic posted a 1.90 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in 23 games last season for the Hurricanes. He went 2-0 against the Wings with a 1.51 GAA and .951 save percentage.
Bernier, who just finished his third season with the Wings, started 23 games with a 2.99 GAA and .914 save percentage in 2020-21.
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