Coyotes acquire Alex Goligoski's negotiating rights

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Arizona Coyotes acquired negotiating rights to pending free-agent defenceman Alex Goligoski from the Dallas Stars on Thursday for a fifth-round draft choice.

The Coyotes can negotiate with Goligoski until July 1. If a contract isn't reached, the 30-year-old defenceman would become an unrestricted free agent.

Goligoski had five goals and 32 assists in 82 games last season with a plus-21 rating. He also had four goals and three assists in 13 playoff games. In 562 NHL games with Pittsburgh and Dallas, the former University of Minnesota star has 55 goals and 222 assists.