Nikolay Goldobin had an interview with Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal. We’ll catch you up on the details of his training, goals for the season and more.
Shifting gears, we have an opportunity to check in on a Vancouver Canucks player instead of their executive/coaching staff. Rick Dhaliwal got a chance to speak with Nikolay Goldobin and discussed how his offseason was going.
As expected, he’s working hard in Russia, following a training plan given to him by the team. He also said he spoke with Travis Green and they had a good conversation. Here’s to hoping it’s one of those famous pep talks he gave periodically throughout last season.
So far, nothing seems out of the ordinary. The Canucks are keeping tabs on him and Goldy is hard at work for the next season. Then, Rick asks about what he wants to accomplish this season.
Goldobin on his goals for next year, “Go to camp and show everyone I have improved and score 25 or more goals. Help the team get into the playoffs.” #Canucks
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 17, 2018
If Goldobin scores 25 goals, everyone will walk away impressed. It would be one of the more signifiant contributions on the team and a performance like that could help him hold down a spot for the foreseeable future.
Of course, this is what we want to hear. It’s just nice that Goldy is willing to put a number on things. He could have left it vague and said he wants to contribute, but this tells me he wants to become an impact player at this level.
Self aware and very sharp
We don’t always get a chance to see how intelligent every hockey player is, but the little nuances we can gleam from interviews helps with this. Goldobin’s place or lack thereof in the lineup is an interesting talking point this days.
There is a risk of trade for players on the bubble for Goldobin. It doesn’t help the issue that Jim Benning basically gave an invitation to the rest of the league to stall him out and grab these bubble players for free on waivers.
Goldobin on #Canucks signing 3 forwards on July 1st , “The team is trying to get better, someone could get traded. Maybe me, I don’t know.” #Canucks
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 17, 2018
Goldobin is very astute and knows what kind of options are in play. Few people give the young man credit for knowing this because of his age, but he is fully aware of what is happening. He understands that his roster spot is in jeopardy and it will be solely on him to secure it.
Furthermore, Goldobin knows what he needs to work on to make this team. It appears his defensive play and more specifically his actions without the puck will determine his place in the eyes of Travis Green.
I would disagree with that line of thinking from Green, but that’s the only way to get some rope from him. He wants complete players and won’t spend time developing, which is his prerogative. Ultimately, it’s on the team to find a coach willing to develop, but let’s bring the focus back to Goldy.
Confidence
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One thing I was worried about last season was his confidence. By not playing as much and starting the year in Utica, there was a chance he would get into his own head and it would adversely affect his play. However, he worked hard, seizing an opportunity when the injury bug struck like clockwork.
Goldy thought he played well towards the end of the season and was happy with it. Generally, it’s hard to find positives in yet another lost season, but at least it’s not shaking him. I really do think Goldobin can succeed in this league. The opportunity just needs to be there.
He has an incredible skillset and if the rookie season of Elias Pettersson wasn’t going to overshadow him, he could be one the Canucks’ best surprises. The Canucks need to score goals and cultivating offensive talent should be the highest priority. You can have the best defensive structure in the world, but you will not win every game 1-0.
Nikita Tryamkin
Lastly, Dahliwal asked Goldobin about Nikita Tryamkin. The two are in contact with each other, so fans still hoping for his return will want Goldy to stick around to facilitate that. That’s not the main reason I would like Goldobin to stay, but it certainly helps add to the arguments in favour of doing so.
Goldobin says he talks to Nikita Tryamkin, “I try to get him back to NHL but I don’t think it’s happening for a year or two.” #Canucks
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 17, 2018
Goldy is just confirming what we already know, so it’s not surprising. However, considering the friendship they have, I do wonder if Tryamkin considers returning based on how things go with Goldobin. Just thinking out loud, but for some of you, the thought must have crossed your minds.
The Canucks don’t really have an ambassador for Russian players even though one of the best in franchise history hailed from there. He also left on the worst of terms before the Canucks mended bridges to retire his jersey.
Next: No decision made on Quinn Hughes yet
What I am getting at is the team needs to treat their players right. Not just Russian players. All players. If Goldy has a terrific camp, I sincerely hope the Canucks are true to their word and make room for him on the opening roster. In that scenario, if they end up losing Goldy for free, it will be a damn shame to watch him score goals for another team. It should go without saying, but the Canucks need those more than ever.