PITTSBURGH -- Alex Nedeljkovic is getting his wish. He's staying with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins re-signed the veteran goaltender to a two-year deal on Thursday that carries an average annual value of $2.5 million.

The 28-year-old Nedeljkovic went 18-7-7 with a 2.97 goals-against average in 38 games for the Penguins last season. The team relied on him heavily down the stretch and his play helped fuel a late-season surge that nearly carried Pittsburgh to the playoffs.

Nedeljkovic, a Cleveland native, had been scheduled to become a free agent next month. His return gives the team a reliable complement to starter Tristan Jarry, who struggled at times late in the season and spent a significant portion of the final two months watching Nedeljkovic from the bench.