Arizona Coyotes’ Alex Goligoski Struggling Through First 10 Games

Despite big expectations and a contract to match with the Arizona Coyotes, Alex Goligoski hasn’t hard a strong start to his tenure in Glendale.

In some ways, the Alex Goligoski signing was a watershed moment for the new-look Arizona Coyotes.

A coveted top-four defenseman chose to play in the desert over several other teams who would have paid him a similar amount. Those were teams who may or may not be better equipped to compete this year and next.

The signing was a statement of intent from IceArizona and new GM John Chayka.

Goligoski has been eating up minutes like a top pairing defender.

He’s put up 6 assists in 10 games.

That doesn’t tell the full story, however.

#33 has struggled delivering passes tape-to-tape and has generally exhibited far fewer flashes of the offensive ability Coyotes’ fans thought they signed up for.

Goose has also found himself on the wrong side of a ledger he traditionally dominates; possession, also known as Corsi.

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Goligoski has averaged 52.74% CF 5v5 since the 2009-10 season.

This season? He’s sitting at 42.14% CF 5v5.

That’s third worst on the team, and the absolute worst among players who have dressed for at least six or more games in an Arizona Coyotes uniform.

Outside of the rookies, Goose is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The reason for this fall is puzzling.

It could be a variety of issues.

Goligoski is certainly playing on a lesser team than he did in Dallas, and even before that during his time in Pittsburgh.

Lesser quality of teammates could be impacting him. One would hope he was part of what made those Pens and Stars teams strong, however, and not merely a passenger.

I’m sure that’s what Chayka thought when he signed him to a $27.3M contract.

When looking at his impact with other Coyotes defenders, however, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Everyone who has spent significant minutes with Goligoski is performing better without him when put with a new partner.

Another factor might be that the Arizona Coyotes have struggled mightily to enter the offensive zone with possession. Players have either not adapted well to the system, or the system just isn’t working.

Goligoski is one of those new players attempting to learn and adapt.

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• Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
• Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident

This team attempts so many stretch passes from blue-line to blue-line that are turned over in the neutral zone. They have also exhibited a renewed reliance on dump-and-chase, with minimal emphasis on executing the chase portion of that plan at the start of the season.

The style of play may be affecting Goligoski negatively due to the amount of time spent in the defensive zone because the Coyotes cannot control the puck.

After all, #33 is most effective in the offensive end, not the defensive one.

The wild card factor (and scariest) here is age. Alex Goligoski isn’t getting any younger.

He’s 31 and he’s signed here in Arizona for the next five seasons.

It’s doubtful that he’s suddenly fallen off a cliff, but it deserves mentioning.

So what’s the solution for Mr. Goligoski?

The answer may be time and patience.

It is just ten games, albeit ten games where Goose has fallen far behind his defensive peers.

Next: Jakob Chychrun Earns Season Long Stay In NHL

Hopefully it’s a blip on the radar ahead of a prosperous career in the desert.

We’ll check back at the twenty game mark and find out.