Minnesota Wild, Alex Goligoski agree to 2-year contract extension: Sources

The Wild have agreed to a contract extension with defenseman Alex Goligoski, multiple sources tell The Athletic's Michael Russo. The deal is expected to be for two years at a $2 million average annual value.

Goligoski, 36, has two goals and 28 points in 58 games this season, which is his first playing for his home-state team. His plus-minus rating of plus-34 ranks seventh in the league and fourth among defensemen. The Wild signed the Grand Rapids, Minn., native to a one-year, $5 million contract in July.

Goligoski had 25 points in his first 33 games with the Wild but has only three in his past 25 and has been a healthy scratch at times. He was scratched for Sunday’s win over the Avalanche and will be again for Tuesday’s game against the Flyers.

Minnesota is 40-20-4 with 84 points, the third-most in the Western Conference.

(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Why did the Wild re-sign Goligoski?

Michael Russo, Wild senior writer: It's uncertain because GM Bill Guerin hasn't spoken to this yet, but he loves his former Penguins teammate. Goligoski had a good first half, is tied for the team lead among defensemen in points and is fourth in the NHL with a plus-34. They had a gentleman's agreement last summer to extend him after Jan. 1 but never did so and the thought was they felt at his age that Jon Merrill was the safer bet when they extended him in January.

It's hard to figure out now because with Jake Middleton now in the organization, they have seven defensemen signed for next season with Calen Addison still trying to break in.

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Is the deal too much considering Minnesota's coming cap crunch?

Russo: The price actually isn't bad at all, but counting cap space, it's hard to figure out what Guerin's plan is. Kevin Fiala is a restricted free agent and it's hard to see how the Wild can afford to re-sign him.

Matt Dumba may be trade bait but Guerin wants to extend him this summer. But it's possible he'll want to bring back pending free agents Marc-Andre Fleury and Nic Deslauriers, too.

They can't all fit when the Wild will have a cap ceiling of $69.8 million next season due to the buyout charges for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

Are Goligoski's recent healthy scratches a concern?

Russo: Yes, because he's showing his age. They do have eight defensemen and have a bit of a rotation of scratches going on, but there's no doubt the Wild are trying to monitor his minutes because they feel like age is kicking in and his game has slipped.

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