Post by matt51180 on Feb 21, 2011 17:12:27 GMT -6
Dumb, dumb, dumb...
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The Stars announced this afternoon that they have acquired defenseman Alex Goligoski ffrom Pittsburgh for winger James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen.
Goligoski is a puck-moving defenseman who led Pittsburgh with a plus-20.
``We believe Alex is a player who can add to our mix and make us a better team on defense,'' sais Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. ``It was hard to trade players like James and Mattt, because we know they are quality players and quality people, but we felt this would be a deal that would make us a better team.''
It's definitely a risk, but I think it moves an asset from an area of strength (left wing) to get an asset in an area of weakness (defense).
Neal could become a very good player, especially on that team, but Jamie Benn can step into his place and be just as good or better. The Stars need a player like Goligoski on defense.
The question, I guess, would be whether tossing Niskanen in was too much, but the Stars may have found out that the market for Niskanen by himself wasn't that great. Niskanen also could become better in Pittsburgh. A trade could help clear his head a little and get him away from the pressure he felt in Dallas. But, I truly believe the Stars were not going to get the best of Matt Niskanen had he remained here.
Goligoski, 25, makes $1.5 million this season and $2.75 million next season. Neal makes $2.55 million this season and $3.5 million next season. Niskanen makes $1.25 million this season and $1.75 million next season, so it does open the door for another deal if the Stars want to make one this year.
``I don't like labels like that,'' Nieuwendyk said when asked if Goligoski could be a No. 1 defenseman. ``He will take important minutes and play in our top four and on the power play, and we feel he'll be a very good fit for us. We feel we made our defense as a whole better today.''
Goligoski is left-handed, so he could be partnered with Stephane Robidas on the first pair. In addition, he and Brad Richards will probably man the points on the power play when Richards is healthy. Goligoski is expected to arrive in Dallas tonight and is expected to play against New Jersey tomorrow.
Here is Goligoski's yahoo page.
Here is Goligoski's wikipedia page.
You can get in the discussion on the HF Boards here if you like.
Here is the press release from the Stars:
Frisco, Tex. - Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced today that the NHL club has acquired defenseman Alex Goligoski from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for left wing James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen.
Goligoski, 25, has appeared in 60 games for Pittsburgh this season, scoring nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points. Averaging 20:45 minutes of playing time per game, he shares the Pittsburgh lead for plus/minus rating (also Sidney Crosby) with a +20, and has a +34 rating for his career. Goligoski leads the Penguins in game-winning goals this season with four. A native of Grand Rapids, Minn., he was Pittsburgh's second round selection (61st overall) at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
"We're very excited to add Alex Goligoski to our hockey club," said Nieuwendyk. "Alex is a legitimate top-four defenseman who will have a positive impact on our entire crops of blue-liners. He has averaged over 20 minutes per game and can play in all situations."
A member of Pittsburgh's 2009 Stanley Cup Championship team, Goligoski tied a career-high earlier this season with a seven-game point streak (3g, 4a) from Oct. 7-18. He played three seasons at the University of Minnesota (2004-07), scoring 25 goals and 73 assists for 98 points in 117 games. The 5-11, 180-pound defenseman was named First-Team All-American, First-Team All-WCHA, and WCHA Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2006-07.
Neal, 23, was Dallas' second round selection (33rd overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 59 games for the Stars this season, scoring 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points.
Niskanen, 24, has appeared in 45 games for Dallas this season, recording six assists with 30 penalty minutes. He was Dallas' first round pick (28th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
The Stars will host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at American Airlines Center (7:30 pm CST, TV: VERSUS, Radio: Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket).
Alex Goligoski NHL Statistics
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The Stars announced this afternoon that they have acquired defenseman Alex Goligoski ffrom Pittsburgh for winger James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen.
Goligoski is a puck-moving defenseman who led Pittsburgh with a plus-20.
``We believe Alex is a player who can add to our mix and make us a better team on defense,'' sais Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. ``It was hard to trade players like James and Mattt, because we know they are quality players and quality people, but we felt this would be a deal that would make us a better team.''
It's definitely a risk, but I think it moves an asset from an area of strength (left wing) to get an asset in an area of weakness (defense).
Neal could become a very good player, especially on that team, but Jamie Benn can step into his place and be just as good or better. The Stars need a player like Goligoski on defense.
The question, I guess, would be whether tossing Niskanen in was too much, but the Stars may have found out that the market for Niskanen by himself wasn't that great. Niskanen also could become better in Pittsburgh. A trade could help clear his head a little and get him away from the pressure he felt in Dallas. But, I truly believe the Stars were not going to get the best of Matt Niskanen had he remained here.
Goligoski, 25, makes $1.5 million this season and $2.75 million next season. Neal makes $2.55 million this season and $3.5 million next season. Niskanen makes $1.25 million this season and $1.75 million next season, so it does open the door for another deal if the Stars want to make one this year.
``I don't like labels like that,'' Nieuwendyk said when asked if Goligoski could be a No. 1 defenseman. ``He will take important minutes and play in our top four and on the power play, and we feel he'll be a very good fit for us. We feel we made our defense as a whole better today.''
Goligoski is left-handed, so he could be partnered with Stephane Robidas on the first pair. In addition, he and Brad Richards will probably man the points on the power play when Richards is healthy. Goligoski is expected to arrive in Dallas tonight and is expected to play against New Jersey tomorrow.
Here is Goligoski's yahoo page.
Here is Goligoski's wikipedia page.
You can get in the discussion on the HF Boards here if you like.
Here is the press release from the Stars:
Frisco, Tex. - Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced today that the NHL club has acquired defenseman Alex Goligoski from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for left wing James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen.
Goligoski, 25, has appeared in 60 games for Pittsburgh this season, scoring nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points. Averaging 20:45 minutes of playing time per game, he shares the Pittsburgh lead for plus/minus rating (also Sidney Crosby) with a +20, and has a +34 rating for his career. Goligoski leads the Penguins in game-winning goals this season with four. A native of Grand Rapids, Minn., he was Pittsburgh's second round selection (61st overall) at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
"We're very excited to add Alex Goligoski to our hockey club," said Nieuwendyk. "Alex is a legitimate top-four defenseman who will have a positive impact on our entire crops of blue-liners. He has averaged over 20 minutes per game and can play in all situations."
A member of Pittsburgh's 2009 Stanley Cup Championship team, Goligoski tied a career-high earlier this season with a seven-game point streak (3g, 4a) from Oct. 7-18. He played three seasons at the University of Minnesota (2004-07), scoring 25 goals and 73 assists for 98 points in 117 games. The 5-11, 180-pound defenseman was named First-Team All-American, First-Team All-WCHA, and WCHA Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2006-07.
Neal, 23, was Dallas' second round selection (33rd overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 59 games for the Stars this season, scoring 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points.
Niskanen, 24, has appeared in 45 games for Dallas this season, recording six assists with 30 penalty minutes. He was Dallas' first round pick (28th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
The Stars will host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at American Airlines Center (7:30 pm CST, TV: VERSUS, Radio: Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket).
Alex Goligoski NHL Statistics
