John Chayka, the NHL's youngest general manager, made his first trade Thursday, striking early to bulk up the Arizona Coyotes' defense.
The Coyotes acquired the negotiating rights for defenseman Alex Goligoski from the Dallas Stars for a 2016 fifth-round pick.
The Coyotes are flying Goligoski into Arizona within the next week to sell him on the team and the market.
Goligoski, 30, is potentially one of the top free-agent defensemen available on the market and had 37 points in 82 games last season with the Stars.
The Stars tried to re-sign Goligoski but failed to agree to terms. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Other teams can start talking to him as of June 25, when the negotiating window opens for all 30 teams.
"The Dallas Stars would like to thank Alex for all of his contributions to the organization," Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. "A leader both on and off the ice, Alex has played an integral role in the development of our young defensemen into NHL-caliber players. His versatility over the past six seasons has helped shape this team into what it is today and we wish him and his family the best of luck."
Chayka, 27, was named the Coyotes' general manager last month.
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun contributed to this report.