Minnesota Wild sign Alex Goligoski to two-year extension with $2-million cap hit

The Minnesota Wild and Alex Goligoski have agreed to a contract extension, as the defenseman will be making $2 million a year for the next two seasons.

The Minnesota native signed with the Wild in the 2021 offseason on a one year, $5-million contract. At 36 years old, and turning 37 in July, he’ll likely be retiring in his home state.

The $3-million pay deduction is essential for the Wild going forward, as next year is the first of three seasons in whih the Wild will have at least $12.5 million tied to the buyout of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter’s contracts.

Goligoski has had a productive year with the Wild, putting up 28 points in 58 games despite playing in a more reduced role with the team. His playdriving has rebounded this year, with a 54.03% CF% and a 53.72% xGF% at even strength, the former being a career high, and the latter being his highest since 2014-15. That said, sheltered minutes have probably helped in that regard.

Despite the extension, Goligoski is a healthy scratch in the Wild’s upcoming game against the Philadelphia Flyers. While earlier reports made it seem that he was on the way out, it looks like it will be to give him some rest as the team approaches the playoffs.