Alex Goligoski Signs with Coyotes: Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

The Arizona Coyotes acquired the rights to veteran defenseman Alex Goligoski in a trade with the Dallas Stars on June 16, and the impending unrestricted free agent is going to stick around in the desert. Coyotes general manager John Chayka announced in a press release Wednesday that Goligoski agreed to a five-year contract, per the team's official website:

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We are thrilled to sign Alex to a long-term contract. Alex is a great skater and a smart, efficient defenseman who moves the puck well and makes his teammates better. He will help solidify our defense and support the growth of our young players. He will be a great addition to our team and we welcome him and his wife Amanda to the pack.

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ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun first reported Tuesday the Coyotes were finalizing a five-year contract to make the 30-year-old a staple of their defense. John Shannon of Sportsnet reported Goligoski's contract will carry a $5.475 million cap hit.

"I am very happy to join the Coyotes," said Goligoski in the team's press release. "Arizona is a great place to live and play, and I'm excited to join an up-and-coming team that has a ton of talent and a very bright future."

Goligoski is a nine-year NHLer who has spent the past six seasons with the Stars. He is coming off a 2015-16 campaign that saw him appear in all 82 games, registering five goals and 37 points to go along with a career-best plus-21 rating.

The Minnesota native also enjoyed a productive playoff with four goals and seven points in 13 contests, although he struggled defensively at times with a rating of minus-six.

Goligoski has been among the most consistent and reliable blueliners in the NHL over the past four years, missing just three games during that time and contributing nearly a half-point per contest, including a career-high 42 points in 2013-14.

Experienced, puck-moving rearguards are at a premium in the NHL, and that made the former Pittsburgh Penguins second-round selection a hot commodity on the open market.

Prior to the start of free agency, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News told Jason Gregor of TSN1260 that the Stars had interest in retaining Goligoski if the price was right:

Due to the lack of top-flight defensemen available, however, Goligoski garnered plenty of interest from the Coyotes.

While the Stars were stacked with forward talent in 2015-16, including Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza and Patrick Sharp, Goligoski's contributions were significant in terms of making them the NHL's highest-scoring team.

His ability to carry the puck up the ice and find forwards with great outlet passes set up plenty of scoring opportunities, as did his fine work along the blue line on the power play.

The lefty's versatility and penchant for playing in all situations bolstered his value and put him in line for a big payday.

The Stars' loss represents a considerable gain for the Coyotes, and if Goligoski continues to contribute the type of all-around play he did during his time in Dallas, he may prove to be among the most important signings of the offseason.

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