Alex Goligoski can't wait to get started in the desert.

After being traded to the Arizona Coyotes prior to free agency, the pending UFA signed a long-term deal with the club soon after, and he believes he can provide valuable puck-moving from the blue line.

"I'm here to play hockey the way I know how to play it - moving the puck, playing solid defense, and helping the offense," Goligoski told the team's official site. "There's a lot of parts of my game that can help."

Goligoski recently arrived in the desert, and has been participating in informal skates with some of his new teammates, including Shane Doan. He spoke highly of the Arizona captain.

"I'm just getting to know him in my short time here, (but) he seems like an awesome guy," Goligoski said. "He's a lot of fun out there. He obviously enjoys the game and he's out there smiling every day and that's infectious. It's good for this group."

As a member of the Dallas Stars last season, Goligoski was a key contributor to the team qualifying for the playoffs and advancing to the second round. The veteran defenseman believes the Coyotes aren't far from reaching that level, and is confident in the possibility of playoff contention.

"I think they took a huge step last year and I think we're here to build on that and I think I can help there," Goligoski said. "From what I've seen so far, and I've talked to guys, everyone is really motivated and there's just kind of a good vibe around the team right now. It's exciting.

"For me, I did my homework a little bit, too, with the prospects coming up and what guys are here right now, and everything I heard and everything that I looked into, it seemed like a great fit."

The Coyotes are expected to graduate prospects Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak to the NHL this season. They'll play alongside standout sophomores Max Domi and Anthony Duclair.

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