The Arizona Coyotes’ gamble on trading for Alex Goligoski’s rights might have paid off.
Craig Custance of ESPN.com reports Arizona is closing in on a five-year deal with Goligoski which will be worth around $5.5 million annually. Arizona recently acquired Goligoski’s rights in a deal with the Dallas Star in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
Hearing Coyotes and defenseman Alex Goligoski closing in on a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $5.5 million per season.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 21, 2016
If Goligoski agrees to the deal it’s a nice move by new general manager John Chayka. The 5’11” defenseman is an excellent, mobile puck-moving defenseman who can be counted on for top-pairing minutes. While he’s not physically opposing, he’s defensively responsible and efficient offensively. With the Stars this season, Goligoski scored five times and added 37 points. He’s eclipsed 36 or more points in three straight seasons. Based on those figures, $5.5 million would be a high but fair price.
Arizona’s defense isn’t a tire fire, but the 2015-16 group were responsible for allowing 30.7 shots against per game at even strength, the fifth most in the NHL. The Coyotes needed to add a veteran presence alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson and late-bloomer Michael Stone and they got one in Goligoski. He’s an excellent fit on the blueline.
Getting a deal with Goligoski before he hits free agency and other teams could bid on him is huge. Many teams are looking for a top-pair defenseman like him and it appears the Coyotes small gamble paid off huge. Arizona is starting to add talented to an impressive core and should be a fun group to watch next season.
