Alex Goligoski: Dallas Stars Season Ending Report Cards
By Josh Clark
As the weekend dwindles down and all the pop’s out there begin to get down from their pedestals and look back to the LONG weekend ahead, I thought a boring report card would help ease the sad mood! Or make it worse if you’re not a fan of the report cards… Oh well.
Here’s the next report card for #33, The Goose, Alex Goligoski:
Alex Goligoski was brought to Big D back in a 2010-11 season trade that sent former Stars players James Neal and Matt Niskanen to the Iron City to play with the Penguins. Through 3 1/2 seasons, though rocky spots have been encountered, Goligoski has proved himself to be a quality defenseman for the Stars blue line.
Season recap:
Alex Goligoski began his 4th season in Dallas as one of the leaders of the defense, as well as the Stars. His past 2 1/2 seasons left many Stars fans to seriously question whether or not sending an offensive threat like Neal AND a defensive juggernaut in Niskanen for this one, tiny guy. But sooner or later, the fans learned to accept and enjoy what they were getting out of Goligoski.
This season was a lopsided story. Goligoski began his year with a beyond lousy performance until Lindy Ruff decided enough was enough and jumbled the defensive pairs, sticking Goligoski next to Trevor Daley and looked like a complete genius. Daley and Goligoski tag-teamed till the postseason and became #1 on the Stars defensive front. But sometimes, Daley had to hold the line up by himself due to Goligoski’s lacking ability. With these events, the Stars fans turned riotous towards Alex and many felt the need to dish him at the deadline and find someone that would actually HELP the Stars in their possible postseason run. Goligoski found his legs for the most part towards the end of the season, and ended up suiting up for 81 of 82 games, netting 6 goals, his 2nd most since joining the Stars, and tallying 36 assists (yowza that’s a lot), a new record for his professional career.
Playoff recap:
Though his seasonal play had many worried and waiting for Jim Nill to drop the hammer, his playoffs reassured the doubters.
Goligoski snagged 1 goal, being the “salt in the wound” goal of Game 4 that turned Anaheim’s prodigy Frederik Andersen into the doorman on the bench. He also registered 3 assists, which equals out to 4 registered postseason points. Not a bad showing whatsoever. And with the continual pairing with Trevor Daley, the Stars and fans were constantly pleased with the results from #6 & #33.
Contract situation:
When Alex Goligoski was traded from Pittsburgh, he brought along a contract on the edge of expiration. With the contract set to expire on July 1st, 2012, the Stars reacted a week before. Signing him to a 4 year deal, they were preparing for his hopeful continuous help on the blue line. His salary includes a $4,200,000 for the lockout season, with a $400,000 raise for the previous season as well as next season, and then moving up to $4,800,000 for his final 2015-2016 season.
In my opinion:
In my opinion, the Stars need to hold on to Alex Goligoski for as long as they can.
Although he found himself in a few games where he continuously struggled and couldn’t find out how to keep up, his numbers are fantastic and as long as he stays near Daley, it seems as though nothing can go wrong. He knows how to move the puck around well and knows how to play the 2 way game very well. His point shot is like none other and his assist numbers are through the roof. With his experience, he can tutor and teach the younglings how to work the defensive line and play the specifics to help turn the defense into something we fans can be proud of and anticipate watching every night. If Goligoski sticks around, the Stars defense will most likely thrive, as long as he stays consistent and continues to produce.
The bottom line on Alex Goligoski:
Alex Goligoski came from the Iron City where he flourished with a big name team to Dallas where he sailed down the NHL ranks to the team that most people thought wore cowboy hats instead of helmets and rode horses instead of ice skates. But he slowly proved himself to be a quality defender and helped get the Stars’ to where they are today.
The Stars could keep Alex Goligoski. With his defensive skills and powerful fore-check, the Stars could use his skills to their advantage on their way to the Cup. The chemistry he has acquired with Trevor Daley is astounding and the two are the “Benn-Seguin” dynamic duo of the Stars blue line. He can help educate the younger Stars coming into the league and improve the defense to where it truly needs to be, barring any setbacks by Goligoski in his own play.
They could also opt to trade him. If the Stars are in the hunt for a Top 2 defenseman in the upcoming offseason, they could send Goligoski elsewhere in return for a better blue line manager, if no other trades are more relevant and logical, of course. This would also free up cap space if they were to trade for an average defenseman and then went fishing with a big contract in the FA pool. Depending on how the Stars play their cards, Goligoski could be the flexible ace that they need to close off a deal on something they truly do need.
As I have said before, the Stars are on their way to bigger and better things, with an all-star youngling cast leading the play. With the offseason just a block or two away, the Stars will look to finish off their devious plan in formulating a Cup-worthy squad. Could Goligoski be a key to taking the Stars where they have wanted to go for the last 15 years? Or will he be a piece of merchandise that the Stars send away in order to build the roster up to where it needs to be. We just simply don’t know yet.
But please, let me know how you feel about Goligoski’s future in Big D, or you can wait for one of those boring polls to show up in the next few days. Either way, lemme know and have a great week! GO STARS