Canucks News: Dahlen Scouting Reports, Goldobin Hoping for Big Role
The Vancouver Canucks acquired two blue-chip prospects for veterans Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen. Here’s what to expect.
When the Vancouver Canucks acquired prospect wingers Jonathan Dahlen and Nikolay Goldobin, we all got excited. But, with every prospect acquisition comes uncertainty.
Dahlen is currently playing second-tier hockey in Sweden. How does that compare to North America? How will his scoring translate to the NHL? Goldobin is already in North America, but can he perform a smooth transition from the minor leagues to the NHL?
Canucks Army‘s Vanessa Jang and Jeff Paterson have more on both.
Goldobin Upset
Jeff Paterson (Canucks Army) — Newest Canuck Goldobin: ‘Upset I didn’t get a bigger chance in San Jose’
"“I was kind of upset that I didn’t get a bigger chance, but they try to win the Stanley Cup and they wanted to get an older guy who played a couple of years in the NHL,” Goldobin said from the Bay Area where he’s been playing for the Sharks American Hockey League franchise. “So they got Hansen and he’s a good player.”"
Not every NHL prospect can have a Tyler Seguin-like start into their career. Seguin, now a Dallas Star, was drafted second overall at the 2010 draft, and went on to win the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in his rookie season. But, being one of the AHL affiliate’s top scorers and then getting traded from a contending team to the Vancouver Canucks sure is disappointing.
Luckily, Goldobin seems to understand he wasn’t going to get a chance in San Jose anyway. The 21-year-old has appeared in 11 NHL games so far, scoring a goal and an assist. This season, however, he wasn’t going to play for the Sharks in the playoffs.
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It’s probably upsetting, but it’s fine. Because in Vancouver, Goldobin can expect to be an important piece of the future.
And for a young player like him, feeling wanted is essential.
Dahlen a Promising Scorer
Vanessa Jang (Canucks Army) — What They’re Saying: The Scouting Report on Jonathan Dahlen
"Dahlen hails from the same hometown as Alex Edler, and there’s no shortage of veteran Swedish leadership when you include the Sedin twins as well. As a 2nd-round draft choice, Dahlen obviously has pedigree. Some felt he should have gone higher, while others lower. There’s a lot to like about the package that Dahlen brings, especially given the lack of middle-to-high-end prospects in the Canucks system."
I’m really excited about Dahlen. I’m not entirely sure why, but he seems like a really exciting prospect.
There is some concern about his skating, which is of course worrying for a smaller player like Dahlen. At 5-foot-11, you would expect a quick skater who buzzes around the ice.
But we shouldn’t get too worried yet.
Dahlen’s skating issues are mostly about his stride. The Swede has excellent edge work and mobility, but his stride is a bit choppy, causing him to lose speed. That will hurt him in the NHL, but it’s not like skating can’t be improved.
John Tavares, Leon Draisaitl, Bo Horvat — the list of players with ‘skating issues’ is long. But, they are proof that skating issues can be overcome.
Next: Get to Know Jonathan Dahlen
NHL teams work with some of the best skating coaches in the world, so I’m honestly not too worried at all. Dahlen might never become the NHL’s fastest skater, but I don’t expect his skating to be a major issue either.
It’s time to be excited, Canucks Nation!