Broad Street Buzz
Fansided

2021 Free Agency: Five Defenseman The Flyers Should Consider Signing

By Jacob Modugno

Nov 21, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton (19) shoots against the Philadelphia Flyers at PNC Arena. The Flyers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton (19) shoots against the Philadelphia Flyers at PNC Arena. The Flyers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next

ALEX GOLIGOSKI

Goligoski’s career has spanned 983 games across 14 years up this point. He’s 36 years-old and is nearing the twilight of his NHL career, but he’s still been serviceable with the Arizona Coyotes this season. Goligoski has registered three goals and 16 assists for 19 points in 53 games on a Coyotes squad that has not performed up to expectations this season.

Despite his age, Goligoski is logging 23:02 of ice time per night, which is second among all Arizona skaters. Only fellow defenseman Jakob Chychrun plays more at 23:16 per game.

Goligoski averages almost three minutes per game on the penalty kill, second on the Coyotes behind Niklas Hjalmarsson. He has helped Arizona’s PK unit stay within the top half of the league at 14th place as they’re killing penalties at an 80.1% rate, much higher than Philadelphia’s measly 72.6% clip in 30th place. Defense has been one of Arizona’s better qualities this season despite their struggles and Goligoski has been a huge factor in that equation.

Arizona’s 5v5 SV% with Goligoski on the ice is .914, which puts him smack in the middle of the Coyotes’ defenders, fourth behind Chychrun, Hjalmarsson, and Jason Demers who leads the pack at .932 despite missing 13 games this year.

The Coyotes have been slightly outshot with Goligoski on the ice as his total Corsi For to Corsi Against is 863-924, which puts him at 48.3%. The team as a whole, though, has underperformed this season and Goligoski still ranks third among his team’s qualified defenders behind Chychrun and Demers.

Goligoski’s best offensive days are behind him, and his current 19 points would stand as his lowest scoring full NHL season ever. His second lowest came all the way back in 2008-09 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, with whom he did win a Stanley Cup with that season.

It is also worth noting that Chuck Fletcher was Pittsburgh’s assistant general manager behind Ray Shero when they won that Stanley Cup and there is some familiarity between Goligoski and the current Philadelphia GM because of that

While Goligoski is not a very flashy option and does not score a lot, he provides stable defense and veteran leadership that could both be very beneficial to the Flyers.

Home/Editorials