NHL Rumors: Alex Goligoski ready to sign with Coyotes?
After visiting with the Coyotes on Monday and Tuesday, pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Alex Goligoski was impressed with them.
The Arizona Coyotes made an extremely bold decision earlier last week by trading for the rights to defenseman Alex Goligoski, who becomes a free agent on July 1. In doing so, the Coyotes gave up a fifth round pick to try to court one of the offseason’s biggest names.
Goligoski visited with the Coyotes on Monday and Tuesday and he was reportedly impressed.
It should come as no surprise if Goligoski takes himself out of UFA and signs a five-year deal with the Coyotes in near future.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 21, 2016
If Goligoski signs with the Coyotes, that would be a huge win for the team and rookie general manager John Chayka, who is analytically minded. Considering that possession stats have always been kind to Goligoski, it makes a ton of sense for the Coyotes to be interested in him.
Goligoski could provide the Coyotes with the first pairing defenseman that they have been looking for to pair with superstar Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Even if the Coyotes prefer to keep the two lefties on the left side and not on the same pairing, adding Goligoski to a young blue line would significantly help the Coyotes’ chances of contending and staying in Arizona.
The 30-year-old Goligoski is coming off a five goal and 37-point season in one of the better seasons of his career. He was perfect alongside John Klingberg this season, helping Klingberg become a dominant defenseman. Arizona would be very wise to sign Goligoski, as he would help make them legitimate contenders.
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