Every day until June 30, we’ll write about a pending unrestricted free agent. Today’s UFA of the Day is…
Alex Goligoski
Goligoski had 37 points in 82 games last season. He logged almost 24 minutes per contest. So yeah, letting him walk would be a risk for the Stars.
But it could happen.
“We had a great season, but we’re still in our infancy,” GM Jim Nill told Sportsnet recently. “We’re going to get younger, yet. Bigger and faster.”
Goligoski, 30, is one of three Dallas d-men that could hit the open market on July 1, with Jason Demers, 27, and Kris Russell, 29, being the others.
If the Stars don’t re-sign Goligoski, expect a team like the Boston Bruins to set their sights on him. They’re in the market for a d-man that can move the puck, and Goligoski does that well.
Consider what former Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said when Dallas acquired Goligoski from Pittsburgh in 2011.
“I think when you add a guy like Alex Goligoski it really improves your defense,” said Nieuwendyk. “He’s a two-way defenseman that is really going to help getting the puck to our forwards.”
Goligoski’s expiring contract was for four years and $18.4 million, which gave him a cap hit of $4.6 million.
Given the market, his production, and his age, he’ll be expecting a raise, and should get one.
Click here for all our 2016 UFA profiles.