Jan 16: Both have cleared waivers and can now be assigned to the minor leagues.
Jan 15: A pair of players are on the waiver wire today. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Detroit Red Wings have waived former rookie sensation Alex Nedeljkovic, while the Dallas Stars have waived forward Nicholas Caamano.
Nedeljkovic’s storybook run in 2020-21 with the Carolina Hurricanes seems like a distant memory now. As a 25-year-old rookie, the 37th overall selection in 2014 led the league with a .932 save percentage and 1.90 goals-against average as Carolina starter Petr Mrazek missed most of the season with an injury.
He was then dealt to Detroit, where while his numbers dropped last season, they were still quite respectable as he neared 60 starts behind a team with many holes. It hasn’t been the same results this year, though, as a .880 save percentage and 2-4-2 record in just eight starts have caused him to slip to third on the team’s goalie depth chart behind Ville Husso and waiver claim Magnus Hellberg.
Nedeljkovic has already spent six games in the minors this season on conditioning stints, but he will now need to clear waivers to continue playing there. Even as a pending unrestricted free agent, his $3MM cap hit is likely prohibitive for any team needing goalie help making a claim. He has strong numbers with the Grand Rapids Griffins, posting a shutout, a .920 save percentage, and 3-2-2 record. An extended stay in the minors could help Nedeljkovic regain confidence long-term.
Regarding Caamano, the 24-year-old has yet to play this season and was just activated from season-opening injured reserve. A 2016 fifth-round pick, Caamano had just 14 points in 47 AHL games last season with the Texas Stars. He was a taxi squad fixture for Dallas during the shortened 2020-21 season, recording an assist in 24 games in the NHL.
Caamano started the season on season opening injured reserve (SOIR) recovering from offseason back surgery, his placement on waivers today would indicate that Caamano could be ready to return to gameplay.
Ned is surprising. Someone should take a shot on him. He’s on an expiring deal anyways. Maybe Arizona? Can’t be worse than Ingram has been they’re apparently open to trading Vejmelka so he’d be a good stop-gap guy.
Vejmelka gets traded to Detroit after Ned clears waivers.
Ned (1/2 salary retained) + Zadina + Blues 2nd
Yotes leave Ned in the minors or call him up if needed. (which they should)
Why would Wings do that? They have a #1 in Husso
Husso is being over-played and Vejmelka is less then $3M AAV, they would make an excellent 1A and 1B!
Do give Yzerman credit . If someone is not working out. He has trouble moving on from them. Team like Vancouver could learn from this.
Don Waddell is a magician.
This years trade deadline should be interesting for the Red Wings