Stars Sign Alex Goligoski to Four-Year Extension

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have signed defenseman Alex Goligoski to a four-year contract extension worth $18.4 million. The deal averages out for $4.6 million per season. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 36 games so far this season, he has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points. He missed 11 games this season with a broken thumb. Not a bad signing in terms of skill level, as Goligoski brings plenty of offensive skill to the blueline. He has excellent puck-moving skills and mobility, can play lots of minutes, and brings talent to the power play. However, the salary is a bit steep, as the Stars probably could have signed Goligoski for a little bit less money.

Stars Acquire Goligoski from Penguins for Neal, Niskanen

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have acquired defenseman Alex Goligoski from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for left wing James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen. All three players still have one year left on their current contracts and will be eligible for restricted free agency in 2012. In 60 games this season, Goligoski has nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points. Neal has 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points in 59 games, while Niskanen has six assists in 45 games. This is a good trade for the Penguins, as Neal brings them lots of offensive and goal-scoring skill on the wing. The Penguins have been looking for a scoring winger to play alongside Sidney Crosby for the past couple seasons and they have found that in Neal. Plus, he brings some much-needed depth on offense with the injuries to Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz, and Mark Letestu. In Niskanen, the Penguins get a smooth-skating defenseman who has some offensive skill. In Goligoski, the Stars get some much-needed offensive help on the blueline, as well as a decent puck-mover with some mobility. However, the price to acquire him was a little steep in giving up Neal and Niskanen. Plus, with Brad Richards currently sidelined with concussion-like symptoms, giving up Neal was not really a great idea, as it will deplete their offense a bit. It is possible Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk made this move to shed some salary to attempt to retain Richards, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Still, giving up Neal costs the team some offense, but they still could pursue another forward before the February 28 trade deadline.

Penguins Sign Defenseman Goligoski to Three-Year Extension

Just days after winning the Stanley Cup, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Alex Goligoski to a three-year contract extension worth $5.5 million. The deal averages out to $1.83 million per season, making this an affordable signing for the Penguins. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1 and could have been a target of an offer sheet. In 45 games this past season, Goligoski scored six goals and 14 assists for 20 points. He also appeared in 26 games with the Penguins AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barrie/Scranton, scoring two goals and 16 assists for 18 points. In 48 career games, all with the Penguins, he has six goals and 16 assists for 22 points. This is a great signing for the Penguins, as Goligoski is a tremendous skater and lots of offensive skill on the blueline. With his improving defensive skills, he will likely secure a full-time role on the Penguins' defense next season, giving three very skillful offensive defensemen in Sergei Gonchar, Kris Letang, and Goligoski. Look for Goligoski's skills to improve greatly over the next three years and likely earn a spot as one of Pittsburgh's top defensemen.