Comments / New

Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Toughness of Alex Goligoski

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

Sure, when people talk about the Stars’ blue line this season, they’re more than likely bringing up the rise of John Klingberg or checking in on how Johnny Oduya is faring since leaving Chicago. And while Alex Goligoski may not prompt the same sort of fanfare as other defenders in the league, he has emerged as a leader for the Stars, says Mike Heika.

Goligoski is listed at 5-11, 185. He is not an intimidating hitter. He has been in one fight in his life, and that was in the preseason. He was drafted and trained as a puck-moving defenseman, and that’s the role he’s had for much of his life. Yet as he enters his sixth season in Dallas, he’s proving that he can play the most minutes against the opposition’s best players and do it on a season-long basis…year after year.

“I’d definitely call him tough,” said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. “He has a tough job, and he does it well.”

Heika also points out that younger guys, like Klingberg, work to emulate Goligoski.

Goligoski has helped spread that calm to his teammates, and he’s a good fit with John Klingberg on the top pair right now. Klingberg is the heir apparent to the top minutes on the team as he works his way into status as a contender for the Norris Trophy. The 23-year-old said playing beside Goligoski has been good for him.

“I watch him on the ice, off the ice, just to learn from him,” Klingberg said. “We’re kind of the same size, so he can teach me some tricks in defending.”

For more on Goose, head to the link. [SportsDayDFW]

—

The Stars continue their run against Central Division teams with a game against the Wild tonight at 7 p.m. [Stars Inside Edge]

If you need incentive to go, here’s some in bobblehead form.

It seems like everyone wants to say nice things about John Klingberg these days. [TSN]

I know you’d rather avoid work on the weekends, but take this quiz to figure out where each team in the league ranks on your Most Loved to Most Hated list. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]

Explore who’s been a been a free agent bust vs. boon for teams around the league. Johnny Oduya gets the nod for the latter category. [ESPN]

Go ahead and mark your calendars for Jan. 12, 2016.

As the debate over scoring in the NHL rages on, Vancouver goalie Ryan Miller says everyone should hold on a second before shrinking netminder’s equipment. [Sportsnet]

Red Wings forward Teemu Pulkkinen received the dubious honor of being the first player fined for diving this season (for antics that occurred in Detroit’s loss to the Stars, no less). [The Score]

In honor of yesterday being Friday the 13th, Sports Illustrated took a look at players who have famously dared to don the unlucky number. [SI]

Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog has been suspended two games.

It was news to Matt Duchene that the Avalanche are potentially considering trading the center. [ESPN]

Team North America announced the additions of Jon Cooper, Peter DeBoer, Dave Tippett, and Jay Woodcroft as assistant coaches for the World Cup of Hockey. [NHL]

TSN’s Travis Yost explains the failings of the NHL’s partnership with SAP and how the statistics the company provides have been inaccurate. [Tumblr]

Grantland may be defunct, but the Down Goes Brown grab bag lives on. [ESPN]

The legend of #RoarBacon continues in St. Louis.

Can you actually complain about how bad your team is? (If you like the Maple Leafs, then the answer will be yes.) [The Hockey News]

Sophomore slumps are real, y’all. [The Hockey News]

Ilya Bryzgalov may not be talking about the universe anymore, but he is making a few appearances at Flyers games and has some sage thoughts on the team. [Courier-Post]

And finally, the Stars’ practice yesterday led to a little friendly competition between John Klingberg and Jason Demers.

Talking Points