Nikolay Goldobin

October 2020 – Goldobin did not receive a qualifying offer and therefore becomes an unrestricted free agent.  Jokke Nevalainen

March 2019 – Goldobin has found himself bouncing between the top six, bottom-six, and press box for much of the NHL season. He’s looked his best next to soon-to-be Calder winner, Elias Pettersson, but has failed to translate that into substantial production. Fortunately for him, the Canucks lack much creativity on the wings – both in the NHL and coming up the ranks. That should afford him further opportunities with the club next season. Cam Robinson

November 2018 – Goldobin is enjoying life as an NHL regular. Who wouldn’t with Elias Pettersson as your centre? The two European forwards have shown quick chemistry on and off the ice. They enjoy playing a skilled game with loads of puck possession. the 23-year-old Goldobin has seen 14-plus minutes of action on a nightly basis and is play-driver on the second power-play unit. He’s found the back of the net just once – in the first game of the season and is clicking at a ridiculously low 2.9 conversion rate. Despite that, the former first-round pick is still producing. He has six points in his last seven games and is becoming free agent acquisition in many leagues. When he starts finishing chances, things should get even rosier. Cam Robinson 

March 2018 – Goldobin has a had a season that many expected. He’s displayed dominance at the American League level by recording nine goals and 30 points in 28 games for the Utica Comets. His 1.07 points-per-game sit 14th in the league for players playing at least 25 games. His time with the Canucks has resulted in three goals and six points in 20 contests while seeing roughly 12 minutes a night – about a minute of that coming on the second man-advantage unit. This is the final season in which the 22-year-old can move freely between leagues without requiring waivers so it’s paramount that he has a strong finish to the season in Vancouver and set himself up for a full-time position next fall. It won’t be easy for the offensive winger as it is expected youngsters, Elias Pettersson and Adam Gaudette will be joining the frey and challenging for ice time. Goldobin was recently “papered down” to Utica in order to be eligible for the Comets’ playoffs run – one that has the potential to be a long and fruitful venture.

November 2017 – Goldobin is doing everything the Canucks have asked of him. He’s returned to the AHL to work on the defensive side of things while maintaining his dynamic offensive tools and he’s passing tests with flying colours. Currently, the 22-year-old has produced 10 points in just seven contests while seeing time on both the man-advantage and penalty killing units. His 1.43 points-per-game sits seventh overall for players with at least four games played. Goldobin has been a force for the Comets and will surely receive a call to the big club when injuries arise down the line. Cam Robinson

September 2017 – Goldobin has been sent down the American league after a strong camp and preseason. The soon-to-be 22-year-old winger has accomplished a great deal in the AHL, but didn’t stand out enough in the NHL preseason to force his way onto the big club. Unfortunately for him, Jake Virtanen and Brock Boeser have both pushed him down the pecking order a tad. Goldobin will likely earn a great deal of airmiles flying from Utica to Vancouver and should be expected to be one of the higher scoring players in the minors this season. Goldobin has stated his desire to no longer play at that level, so hopefully he doesn’t get any inklings to head over to Europe any time soon. He will be waiver eligible in 2018-19. Cam Robinson

April 2017 – Goldobin finished his season on a real high note. After scoring three goals in 12 contests with the big club while seeing very limited ice down the stretch, the offensive winger was sent to Utica of AHL to help the team push for the last playoff spot. While their goal was not met, Goldobin was terrific, scoring four goals in the final two games and demonstrating a very high-level of skill. Expect him to play substantial time in the Canucks’ top nine next season. Cam Robinson

March 2017 – Goldobin sure didn’t waste any time acquainting himself to his new team and fans by scoring a breakaway goal midway through the second period of his debut that stood up as the game winner. Unfortunately, after converting on the pretty play, the young Russian saw just 23 more seconds of ice time the rest of the way and just 5:51 overall. It will be interesting to see how coach Willie Desjardin handles his new young player and whether this last stretch of games will be an opportunity to really acclimate himself to the NHL or just another stint in a bottom six without much prime ice. Hopefully it’s the former as the 21-year-old holds the potential to be a real fantasy asset down the line. Cam Robinson

February 2017 – Just as years of work with Goldobin was starting to pay off, the Sharks ship him off to the Pacific Northwest. Goldobin was third on the Barracuda scoring with 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points. He had found a rhythm with AHL All-Star Danny O’Regan as his center and Marcus Sorensen on the other wing. Most noticeable has been the increasingly impressive play away from the puck. Goldobin’s puck retrieval, compete level along the boards, backchecking and all-around attention to the game without the puck on his stick all were far more noticeable than any time with the Sharks organization. The passing skills and above-average shot all remained while defensive play and forechecking improved. Initial reports point to the Canucks inserting Goldobin directly into the lineup against the Sharks for their March 2 game at SAP Center. It will be interesting to see how Goldobin treats what will amount to a late-season callup with the Canucks and where they deploy the skilled winger. He still has things to work on in his game, but if the Canucks can be patient with his NHL growing pains, Vancouver might have just picked up a talented top-six winger on the cheap. Zachary DeVine

November 2016 – Goldobin has clicked with Rourke Chartier and Kevin Labanc to start the season and was a point-per-game player while the trio was in San Jose. Playing with some truly talented linemates have helped Goldobin with his best showing as a San Jose prospect. The book now has to be revisiting with Goldobin. He may have been miscast as a goal scorer when he has shown excellent play-making winger ability. Goldobin has always been most comfortable with the puck on his stick and carrying the play helps mask off the puck concerns, that have improved, but still evident at times. Scoring slowed down for Goldobin after Labanc was recalled, but forward progress has been made. Zachary DeVine

October 2016 – Goldobin’s goal and six assists are tied for the Barracuda team lead in points. Skating with upstart Kevin Labanc and two-way center Rourke Chartier has given Goldobin skilled talent to skate alongside. Adverse aspects of Goldobin’s games have been covered by the offensive output and responsibility of his linemates. However, the abilities of Goldobin are now in focus, and he is showing what he is capable of under ideal deployment. There are still red flags, especially away from the puck but Goldobin might still get back on track as a blue-chip prospect who can be a complimentary winger at the professional level. Zachary Devine

October 2016 – Goldobin looks to have won a spot on the San Jose Sharks roster to open the 2016-17 season, beating out a hard-charging Kevin Labanc and speedy Marcus Sorensen. The skilled Russian has not looked overly impressive during the preseason or in summer camps, but San Jose sees something that many of us have not it seems. There are still concerns about his play away from the puck and numerous times he was observed on the perimeter of the a play waiting for something to happen. Goldobin finished the preseason with two assists and five shots in five games and averaging over 15 minutes in ice time. He’ll now likely platoon with Barclay Goodrow to give the Sharks a bit more speed or grit options, depending on the opposition. Zachary DeVine

May 2016 – One of the Sharks’ top offensive prospects is currently wrapping up a strong first professional season in North American. The 20-year-old winger has scored 19 goals and 39 points in 58 games. Despite a minus-13 rating, Goldobin has improved his defensive awareness and two-way acumen. The 2014 first round pick has played nine games for the big club so his contract is eligible to slide another year, keeping him from reaching unrestricted free agency a year early. Look for the talented scorer to battle for a job in the Sharks’ top nine forward group next season. –Cam Robinson

February 2016 – Goldobin has been adjusting well in his first year of professional hockey in North America. The offensively-gifted winger has put up 21 points in 35 games for the San Jose Barracuda as well as one goal and one assist in nine games with the Sharks. Goldobin possesses a wicked release on his shot and has the ability to make defenders look silly with his slick puck skills. He is likely the prospect who is closest to producing at the NHL level, but still has some kinks to work out in his own end before locking down a full time spot. Cam Robinson

November, 2015 – Goldobin has struggled to find his offensive game at the AHL level thus far in 2015-16. He has yet to record a point through four games, is a minus-five and has put only eight pucks on net. The freshly-turned 20-year-old needs to start creating on the farm if he has aspirations of another call-up to big club. – Cam Robinson

October 2015 – Nikolay Goldobin has been recalled by the San Jose Sharks and will suit up for his first National Hockey League game. The young winger is set to replace Joonas Donskoi on the top line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. San Jose has to be pleased with the young talent they are beginning to assemble and Goldobin may end up as the best of the bunch. Keep a close eye on how the powerful Russian fares in his first stint with the big club, as that top line wing has been a revolving door and coach Peter DeBoer would love to find some consistency. Cam Robinson

September 2015 – Goldobin has had a very strong camp thus far. He lined up with fellow youngsters Rourke Chartier and Tomas Hertl in a preseason game against the Canucks and the trio was noticeable all night. Goldobin played 13:20 in the contest and chipped in with a pretty power play goal. He will look to continue to impress and stake his claim to a roster spot to open the season. San Jose could use the youthful firepower as their core continues to age. – Cam Robinson

July 2015 – 2014-15 was a successful year for the young Russian. His first professional season was split between HIFK of the Finnish Liiga and Worcester of the AHL. He also suited up for Russia at the WJC-20 tournament. The impressive 19 year old displayed his exceptional release and shifty playmaking skills against men in two different leagues while working on his play away from the puck and succeeded in building overall strength as he is now listed at 185 lbs, up 15lbs from last season. Goldobin will press for a spot on San Jose’s top six this coming season, but the signing of Joel Ward may indicate a full year down the road with the team’s new AHL affiliate – the San Jose Barracuda. Cam Robinson

October 2014 – Goldobin has been loaned to the Finnish league team HIFK. This is probably for the best, but he had a strong preseason. He was scoring at about a point-per-game pace with an average of fifteen minutes of ice time. Expect him to make the team next year and line up on the second line. There may be potential for him to come back for the playoffs if the Sharks drastically change their roster, which has been predicted. Tim Graveline

September 2014 – The young Russian has played quite well in the preseason. He isn’t getting a ton of ice time, but he’s been making fair use of what he is given. There’s still time left in camp and he just survived one of the last major cuts. He could potentially get a shot at playing nine games and if so, could potentially make things very difficult for the coaching staff. The Sharks signed Nikolay Goldobin to a three-year entry level contract at the end of September. Tim Graveline

June 2014 – The San Jose Sharks selected Nikolay Goldobin 27th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross January 2014 – Sarnia Sting forward Nikolay Goldobin was named Team Cherry’s Player of the Game at the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects game after netting a goal and an assist. Failing to record a point on January 17th, Goldobin’s impressive points streak that extended 22-games ended with the young crafty forward posting 21 goals and 43 points during that span. Goldobin was assessed a one-game suspension for a slew-footing incident versus the Oshawa Generals on Sunday, January 19th. In Bob McKenzie’s 2014 NHL Draft mid-term rankings, Goldobin slotted in at the 22nd spot. Brendan Ross

January 2014 – As of January 13th, Nikolay Goldobin is enjoying a 22-game point streak that has witnessed this finesse winger accumulate 21 goals and 43 points. His 31 goals and 68 points leads the Sarnia Sting in scoring and sets new career highs for the former OHL rookie scoring leader (2012-13). Looking towards the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, scouts remain hesitant placing him too high in the rankings but Dobber Prospects’ scout Brendan Ross truly feels he’s worthy of a mid-first round selection and should remain high on fantasy draft lists. Brendan Ross

November 2013 – Despite playing on 5-11-0-1 team that has been outscored 74-55, Nikolay Goldobin has fared very well in the early parts of his draft season. The crafty Russian winger has added bulk to his formerly skinny frame and is playing in a manageable frame. His 10 goals and 23 points through 17 games places him second in Sarnia Sting scoring and his minus-1 rating is respectable given how badly the team has been outscored. Brendan Ross

June 2013 – Nikolay Goldobin entered the OHL in 2012-13 as a completely unknown after the Sarnia Sting selected him 36th overall in the 2012 CHL Import Draft after recommendation from player agent Igor Larionov. Goldobin quickly acclimated himself to North America and found his way on the ice as well showcasing extremely exciting offensive skillset. As I previously mentioned in an early season article, Goldobin is a crafty playmaker with exceptional vision and passing ability. He has an uncanny way of sending passes when the opposition least expects it, which is extremely valuable with the man advantage. The young Russian needs to substantially improve his game without the puck as he lacks urgency in executing his defensive assignments and can appear to lackadasical at times. With Sarnia graduating several dominant scorers in Reid Boucher and Charlie Sarault, look for Nikolay Goldobin to be relied on heavily for offense. Goldobin finished first in goals (30) and points (68) among all rookie OHL skaters in 2012-13 even surpassing phenom forward Connor McDavid. Brendan Ross