Thursday, June 24, 2010
Anonymous
Throughout the off-season, we here at Pens Universe are going to provide you with player profiles that will summarize our opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of each player as well as highlighting their performance this past season, and we'll also include an outlook for the 2010-2011.
ALEX GOLIGOSKI
2009-10 Stats
Salary: $1,250,000.00
Points: 37
Goals: 8
Assists: 29
PIMs: 22
Plus/Minus: +7
Strengths:
Athleticism ; Above-average skater; Demonstrates outstanding puck-moving ability with the potential to become one of the league's better powerplay quarterbacks.
Weaknesses:
Very raw defensively; Still must develop his game in his own end, Lacks physicality and aggressiveness.
2009-10 Assessment:
Alex Goligoski's 2009 season was expected to his breakout year, particularly on the powerplay. Instead, both the Pens' PP and Goligoski rode a roller coaster of inconsistency, scoring only twice only the man-advantage. On the defensive side, "Gogo" suffered maddeningly inconsistent fortune as well, becoming a blatant liability in the Penguins' own zone at times. Still, #3 finished strong this season with solid postseason play, tightening up his defensive play and averaging nearly a point per game in the playoffs.
Awards:
None
2010-2011 Outlook:
Goilgoski, in many ways remains a work in progress as a Pittsburgh Penguin. Nonetheless, expect his role in Pittsburgh to increase significantly in 2010, particularly on the powerplay. With PP head honcho Mike Yeo accepting a coaching position in the AHL and defenseman and PP QB Sergei Gonchar potentially departing the Penguins, Goligoski could, along with Kris Letang, be forced to have a drastically increased role with the Pens' special teams. His upside remains massive and, with the right coaching and development, could become one of the NHL's premier offensive defenseman.
Worth his salt?
Goligoski's results on a nightly basis are a bit of a wild-card. At times he shows why many in the Penguins organization hold him in such high regard. At other times, he appears destined for the trade block. As previously stated, his potential has still yet to be tapped into and for just over a million a season, likely has his best days in black and gold ahead of him.
Staying with the Pens in 2010-11?
Despite listening to offers for Goligoski at the 2010 trade deadline, Pens GM Ray Shero has stated he has no intention of trading Alex Goligoski anytime soon.
Posted in: Alex Gologoski
