Detroit Red Wings G Alex Nedeljkovic clears waivers, opens roster spot in Detroit

DENVER — Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will remain in the Detroit Red Wings' system after clearing waivers. General manager Steve Yzerman placed

Nedeljkovic on waivers Sunday, and no team put in a claim for him by Monday's 2 p.m. deadline. While Nedeljkovic stays on the payroll, this does clear a path to take him off the

23-man roster. Nedeljkovic carries a $3 million salary cap hit in what is the last year of his contract, and has struggled to show he belongs in the NHL this

season. He last played for the Wings on Dec. 8 at the Florida Panthers, and with that 5-1 loss, Nedeljkovic had a 2-4-2 record with a 4.09 goals-against average and .880 save

percentage. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. More:Detroit Red Wings hit the road for West swing: 'We care

about trying to turn this around' More:Detroit Red Wings midseason grades: Most offseason additions earning their contracts Nedeljkovic, 27,

lost his backup job to Magnus Hellberg, who was claimed off waivers in November. Hellberg doesn't have great numbers — he's 2-3-0 with a 2.81 GAA and .896 save percentage with the

Wings — but he only carries a $750,000 salary cap hit, and would almost certainly have been claimed had he been exposed. The upside to Nedeljkovic staying is he

has stabilized goaltending with the Grand Rapids Griffins. In six games during a conditioning stint that began Jan. 4, Nedeljkovic is 3-2-1 with a 2.30 GAA and .920 save

percentage.