Defenseman Alex Goligoski got a new contract yesterday.

This fall, he will get a new job description.

Goligoski, who agreed to a three-year deal worth $5.5 million, split last season between the Penguins and their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, but is penciled in for full-time work in the NHL in 2009-10.

His contract carries an annual salary-cap hit of $1,833,333, and features salaries of $1.25 million in 2009-10, $1.5 million in 2010-11 and $2.75 million in 2011-12.

Although the consensus inside the organization was that he was one of the Penguins' top six defensemen the past season, Goligoski did not have a permanent place here because he could move between the NHL and the minors without clearing waivers.

That will not be the case anymore, with defensemen Rob Scuderi, Hal Gill and Philippe Boucher scheduled to become unrestricted free agents unless they are signed by July 1.

Goligoski's forte is offense. He had six goals and 14 assists in 45 regular-season NHL games in 2008-09 to rank third in scoring among rookie defensemen, and added 2 goals and 16 assists in 26 games with the Baby Penguins.

He dressed for Games 5 and 6 of the Penguins' second-round playoff series against Washington, recording one assist.

Goligoski plans to spend the next week or so relaxing with his family in Minnesota and expects to begin preparing for 2009-10 soon.

"It's a real exciting time," he said. "I'm ready to start training right now."