[Article] Goldobin Russian interview

[Ossi Vaananen]

This is perhaps not as juicy as Eriksson speaking to Swedish media, but gives some insight into Goldobin's past season and his future here. The interview was originally in Russian, Daily Hive picked it up and it's posted below:

 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-nikolay-goldobin-russian-interview

 

Quote

Hockey players have a well-earned reputation for being boring.

Whether it be a team-first, unselfish culture that’s ingrained into the sport, or the fact that the media jumps on everything they say, hockey players often answer questions more carefully than athletes in other sports.

But something funny happens to European players when they go home. They open up.

Case in point, Loui Eriksson drew headlines in Vancouver after ripping head coach Travis Green in a Swedish-language interview during the World Championships in May.

It may have gotten him in hot water, but damn if it wasn’t the most interesting thing he’s had to say since joining the Canucks three years ago.

The latest Canucks player to open up is Nikolay Goldobin, who gave a number of interesting answers in a Russian-language interview with Sport Express.

Smartly, Goldobin didn’t go the Eriksson route of criticizing his coach, but he did give a lot of insight into what playing in the NHL has been like for him.

With the help of Google Translate, here are the highlights:

On his contract and the KHL option

Goldobin gave a safe response when asked about his next contract, saying that his agent is looking at it.

“I got a qualification offer, but it didn’t work. I look forward to a better offer,” he said, adding that he could be looking at a one-year deal before he gets arbitration rights next season.

And what about the lure of the KHL?

“So far I have not even thought about it,” he said.

Goldobin did say he believes there’ll be a lockout in 2020, at which point he’d be open to playing back in Russia while the NHL is out of service.

One of many still-unsigned restricted free agents in the league, Goldobin’s entry-level contract expired earlier this summer.

He’s superstitious

Goldobin is superstitious when it comes to taping his stick.

“If I score a point, score a goal – I do not change, even if the tape is completely torn. And if there are no points – then I change.”

Makes sense to me.

On last season and where he fits on the team

Goldobin saw significant time on Elias Pettersson’s wing to start last season but struggled after he was removed from the plum assignment.

He scored 23 points in 41 games in the first three months of the season but saw time in the press box after that. He finished the season with just four points in his final 22 games from January to April.

“I could have performed better. I missed a lot of empty nets, did not score, and at the end of the season, I missed 18 games. They told me that I was doing something bad and therefore they sent me to watch games from the press box.”

“They see potential in me and wait for goals scored. If I scored 30 goals per season, the club would turn a blind eye to everything else, to defensive actions or some other disadvantages.”

Goldobin said that Green wants him to be more aggressive on the ice.

“I often communicate with him,” Goldobin said of his relationship with the Canucks’ head coach. “We hang out in the office every week and discuss various hockey topics.”

With the Canucks expected to be much improved next season, there’s not an obvious spot for Goldobin in the lineup, which is a fact that’s not lost on the 23-year-old.

“In the offseason, they invited newcomers, signed a lot of forwards, so I don’t even know if I will have a place in the lineup or not,” he said, adding that the Canucks could be a playoff team next season.

Goldobin may have to play on the third or fourth line, if he gets into the lineup at all.

Clearly, that’s not ideal for Goldobin’s style of play.

“This is not my game, so it will be hard. In Vancouver, I already played on the fourth line with guys, let’s say, that are not very technical. They have other strengths. It was hard for me, because I was always used to waiting for a pass.”

“Line-mates throw the puck into someone else’s zone, you have to skate after it, fight, take it away. I usually enter the offensive zone myself or make a play. With Pettersson, we did just that. Yes, it’s risky, but it turns out the most interesting and spectacular hockey, bearing fruit.”

Afraid to make a mistake

Goldobin admitted that his confidence took a dip last season after losing the trust of the coach.

When asked if he’s allowed to take risks, Goldobin said “A little bit. Less than Pettersson.”

“I wanted more, then it would be easier for me to open up completely. I am clamped and afraid to make a mistake, knowing what they can plant for an unsuccessful action, and lose the rhythm on ice.

You can understand Golbodin’s perspective. He’s a talented and creative player. In order to flourish, you need to be able to play free and be allowed to make the occasional mistake.

But you can also understand Green’s point of view. If Goldobin is making mistakes without “bearing fruit,” it doesn’t make much sense to continue throwing him over the boards.

Goldobin said his goal next season is to have the best season of his career.

“I need to relax, as there are times when I stand in front of the goal, but still get nervous, I think what to do. Problems come from the head – and when you grow up, you become more cold-blooded.”

That time he burned Drew Doughty

Remember that time Goldobin embarrassed Drew Doughty before scoring against the LA Kings in December 2017?

Goldobin sure does.

“I review this moment when I’m sad,” Goldobin joked.

In Vancouver, Canucks players drink for free

This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, but Canucks players have no shortage of people offering to buy them a drink in Vancouver.

“In Vancouver, everyone will recognize you, some are just too shy to approach me. Although even in restaurants, it happens, they ask to be photographed together. Sometimes even at their own expense, they offer to buy me alcohol.”

Goldobin says he refuses the drinks.

“I say, guys, I don’t drink before the game. Only water.”

“In general, Vancouver players have a discount card that can be used in the best restaurants in the city.”

But if he doesn’t want to get bothered around town, that’s not a problem either.

“I’m still not one of the Sedin brothers,” Goldobin joked. “I put on a cap and black glasses so that they don’t recognize me.”

Likes playing in Vancouver despite the media attention

Goldobin says he prefers playing in Canada to the United States because people care about hockey more north of the border.

With that comes more scrutiny from the media.

“They come up and they ask the same thing every time. I’m telling them, what else can I say? I answer the same way.”

Fair enough.

“Their journalists like to add fuel to the fire. This happened to me, but I kept silent or simply said ‘no comment.'”

Well, I never.

Does he read what’s written about him?

“When a good mood – yes. But sometimes they write that I’m not ready for the NHL yet. Well, these people are not serious experts like you (the Russian interviewer). They don’t understand much in hockey. But still unpleasant.”

He has no problem with fans, however.

“Fans, it seems to me, are very kind with us. They go to every game. Always full stands. Of course, when we lose 5-0, people leave – it’s a shame. But support from them is always felt.”

His best friend on the team

I hope this quote about Pettersson, who Goldobin said was his best friend on the team, was as good in Russian as it was through Google Translate.

“He is a special player. Wunderkind. Man is given to play hockey. When he first came to the locker room, he looked like a schoolboy. Thin. There is no swaying ‘hockey ass,’ no powerful legs either. But Elias always knows what will happen on the ice the next moment. Excellent reads the game a few moves ahead. It is very pleasant to go with him on the same line.”

Goldobin is hoping that fellow countryman Nikita Tryamkin will return to Vancouver, which is an option after the defenceman’s contract expires after next season.

“It’s a shame that it happened,” Goldobin said of Tryamkin leaving the Canucks for the KHL in 2017. “I will not name the reason why he had to leave – I hope he will be back. It’s hard without the Russians in the team when you want to chat with someone. Yes, every day I talk with my family, friends, but this is not how I live, the opportunity to sit with someone and laugh.

Retribution for Mike Matheson?

Certainly Goldobin won’t be fighting Matheson next season, but the Russian hinted at retribution for injuring his buddy.

“I think this season someone will definitely say hello to him again when we meet with Florida.”

Some interesting stuff there. He would like Tryamkin to come back, if only for someone to talk to. Seems Godly is at odds with Green and in turn is afraid to make mistakes or take chances. 

 

I'll admit I don't have Goldobin penciled in our opening night roster. One would think he'd be more concerned about not having a contract this late in the season. He declined the qualifying offer.

 

Anyways, I'll cheer for the guy, but he'll need one hell of a camp to stick on the big club. 

[Ceres]

"There is no swaying 'hockey ass'..."

 

Hopefully it works out for him in the NHL. Either here or somewhere else. 

[stawns]

14 minutes ago, Ossi Vaananen said:

This is perhaps not as juicy as Eriksson speaking to Swedish media, but gives some insight into Goldobin's past season and his future here. The interview was originally in Russian, Daily Hive picked it up and it's posted below:

 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-nikolay-goldobin-russian-interview

 

Some interesting stuff there. He would like Tryamkin to come back, if only for someone to talk to. Seems Godly is at odds with Green and in turn is afraid to make mistakes or take chances. 

 

I'll admit I don't have Goldobin penciled in our opening night roster. One would think he'd be more concerned about not having a contract this late in the season. He declined the qualifying offer.

 

Anyways, I'll cheer for the guy, but he'll need one hell of a camp to stick on the big club. 

I didn't get that at all.  To me, it sounds like he spends a lot of one on one time with TG.  Seems like they're making an effort to get him going in the right direction 

[CRAZY_4_NAZZY]

After Petey, I feel Goldy is the next best offensively creative/gifted forward.  We are short of players with his kind of talent, we need him to be better.

 

Really hope he can put it together, because he is such a likable person, and has the individual skill to be a game breaking talent.  If his work ethic can match his skill, he would be a factor each game.

[GhostsOf1994]

Goldy pretty much sums it up when he admits he needs more playing time to contribute offensively.

 

the problem is when he does not get points, he doesn't add much else to justify a roster spot. Aside from 2ndPP and a top 6 spot for offense what else does he bring? PK? Bottom 6 solid checker ? Hits? 

 

Im beginning to think 2 or 3 of Baertschi, Eriksson, Goldy will be moved...

 

 

Miller Petey Boeser 

Pearson Horvat Virtanen 

Ferland Sutter Leivo 

Roussel Beagle Motte 

Schaller....Gaudette..Bailey.....

[6string]

Goldy thinks and processes the game quickly, his hockey IQ is built for attack and offense.

 

I like this interview as I said before his dream is the NHL not the KHL as many here post ( Russophobes mostly ), in fact he prefers Canada where he played junior over the US because of the love we share for the game.

 

It's up to coach Green to make his dream come true in Vancouver.

[-AJ-]

4 minutes ago, 6string said:

Goldy thinks and processes the game quickly, his hockey IQ is built for attack and offense.

 

I like this interview as I said before his dream is the NHL not the KHL as many here post ( Russophobes mostly ), in fact he prefers Canada where he played junior over the US because of the love we share for the game.

 

It's up to coach Green to make his dream come true in Vancouver.

I would say it's up to Goldobin himself to make his dream come true.

[Devron]

I’m still rooting for this guy! I know it’s his last stab if he’s does indeed get another shot this training camp! Let’s cheer the guy on!

[canuktravella]

 i love goldy i hope he gets another chance with us if he becomes a 30 goal scorer we are laughing  next yr if tryamkin is back watch out  this team is stacked af 

 

 big yrs for goldy and shotgun jake  

 

eriksson in utica 

 baetchi tanev sutter traded  by deadline

marky in the summer 

next season we annilate teams 

 

  ferland petey boeser

  goldy horvat miller

 pearson gaudette virtanen 

macewen beagle rousell 

leivo 

edler tryamkin

hughes myers 

juolevi stecher

 

demko

 decent back up

[brownky]

Goldobin "reminds me" a bit of Naslund actually. I have to dig back into the memory for that, but Naslund got the same kind of treatment early on, 3rd and 4th line duties and looked terrible. He got on a bit of a roll in his last year with the Pens, but he was also playing with Jagr, and later Mario Lemieux. Towards the end of the year he trailed off and wound up back on the 3rd / 4th lines and back in the press box. He was 22 at the time.

 

...Sound like anybody you know?

 

Goldy is right there. He does see and think the game at a really good level, otherwise he couldn't have worked as well with Petterson as he did. He's still very young, and I think he understands (at least as far as the interview goes) that he still needs to work hard if he wants to make it. Sounds like Green has far from given up on him, and Benning has placed a very good challenge in front with the new players. "Be better than these guys, consistently" is the challenge. The rest is up to Goldy.

 

The final nugget on the Naslund/Goldobin comparison; Naslund was 25 before he even started to "Be" good. Goldy is 23. Patience is the order on this one. I'm confident that he "will" get it one day... you can just see it. I think for him, it's a mind thing; once the maturity really starts to hit, he's gonna be lights out. The talent in there is incredible, probably on par with Petey in terms of "what he can do, on a good day".

 

I just hope we're the ones to see it.

 

 

[ilduce39]

Nice interview.

 

Every time I hear Goldobin reflect on his place on the team I gain a little more respect for him.  Even if it hasn’t always translated on the ice, he seems to get it.

 

Not sure where he fits in with our current group but I wish him the best!

[BrockBoester]

That's it, I'm sold.

 

Keep Goldy, then when Tryamkin comes back, there will be a solid Russian contingent for when Podkolzin arrives in the future. Hell, maybe we could even add in a few more Russians!

 

"DA, VE HAVE SCORED A GLORIOUS GOAL COMRADES"

[CanucksJay]

1 hour ago, brownky said:

Goldobin "reminds me" a bit of Naslund actually. I have to dig back into the memory for that, but Naslund got the same kind of treatment early on, 3rd and 4th line duties and looked terrible. He got on a bit of a roll in his last year with the Pens, but he was also playing with Jagr, and later Mario Lemieux. Towards the end of the year he trailed off and wound up back on the 3rd / 4th lines and back in the press box. He was 22 at the time.

 

...Sound like anybody you know?

 

Goldy is right there. He does see and think the game at a really good level, otherwise he couldn't have worked as well with Petterson as he did. He's still very young, and I think he understands (at least as far as the interview goes) that he still needs to work hard if he wants to make it. Sounds like Green has far from given up on him, and Benning has placed a very good challenge in front with the new players. "Be better than these guys, consistently" is the challenge. The rest is up to Goldy.

 

The final nugget on the Naslund/Goldobin comparison; Naslund was 25 before he even started to "Be" good. Goldy is 23. Patience is the order on this one. I'm confident that he "will" get it one day... you can just see it. I think for him, it's a mind thing; once the maturity really starts to hit, he's gonna be lights out. The talent in there is incredible, probably on par with Petey in terms of "what he can do, on a good day".

 

I just hope we're the ones to see it.

 

 

Great comparison. Doesn't quite have the pedigree of naslund but both had a rough start to the nhl. Really hope Goldy pulls through. Such a likeable guy. I'm rooting for him. 

[-AJ-]

The potential with Goldy is so tantalizing it's nearly impossible to give up on him entirely. I still think he has a ceiling of a 70-80 point player if he can ever put it all together. Another top line forward like that would be amazing, especially if he could play with EP and Boeser, allowing Miller to play with Bo and Sven and a great 3rd line with Ferland and Pearson.

[spook007]

1 hour ago, brownky said:

Goldobin "reminds me" a bit of Naslund actually. I have to dig back into the memory for that, but Naslund got the same kind of treatment early on, 3rd and 4th line duties and looked terrible. He got on a bit of a roll in his last year with the Pens, but he was also playing with Jagr, and later Mario Lemieux. Towards the end of the year he trailed off and wound up back on the 3rd / 4th lines and back in the press box. He was 22 at the time.

 

...Sound like anybody you know?

 

Goldy is right there. He does see and think the game at a really good level, otherwise he couldn't have worked as well with Petterson as he did. He's still very young, and I think he understands (at least as far as the interview goes) that he still needs to work hard if he wants to make it. Sounds like Green has far from given up on him, and Benning has placed a very good challenge in front with the new players. "Be better than these guys, consistently" is the challenge. The rest is up to Goldy.

 

The final nugget on the Naslund/Goldobin comparison; Naslund was 25 before he even started to "Be" good. Goldy is 23. Patience is the order on this one. I'm confident that he "will" get it one day... you can just see it. I think for him, it's a mind thing; once the maturity really starts to hit, he's gonna be lights out. The talent in there is incredible, probably on par with Petey in terms of "what he can do, on a good day".

 

I just hope we're the ones to see it.

 

 

Now wouldn't that just be something... dropping a Naslund together with Podkolzin into this pool of players in two years time? 

Could see a cup coming to a city near you... 

Edited August 29, 2019 by spook007

[Pears]

Goldy still has huge potential imo. I think if you want to get him going, stick him with Pettersson and Boeser for 80-85% of the season. 

 

Goldobin - Pettersson - Boeser

Miller - Horvat - Ferland

Pearson - Sutter - Virtanen/Baertschi

Roussel - Beagle - Motte

 

That top six oozes offensive potential. 

[steve french]

I was expecting controversy. He seemed to say most of the right things though. Talks with the coach a lot, recognizes he needs to work on the mental game, is not a drunk, likes playing in Canada, puts the voodoo on Matheson.

 

I'll admit, I like Goldobin. I have no doubts about his offensive ability. He has made some incredible plays in his time here. Seems to be resistant to playing a two-way game but not all forwards are going to be Selke winners. I would have liked to see him given a bit more rope. He looks lost in the defensive zone though and that doesn't fly anymore in today's game. I don't see him sticking around for too much longer. I worry he'll go to another team, get slotted in on the first line, and put up a ton of points. He certainly would in the KHL.

 

I don't know, you look at the first game there. Puts up a couple points and gets stapled to the bench, playing sub 4th line time. He was relatively consistent at putting up points when playing with good players and being given the ice time. It's interesting looking at the game logs. Stretches of success filled with periods of what looks like inactivity. I think he has the tendency to lose confidence in his game. Perhaps some players do not respond well to the tough love.

[khay]

Nice and honest interview from Goldy. I think it's clear that he can generate chances with EP and Boeser, but whereas EP and Boeser finishes them, Goldy didn't bury enough of the chances that come his way. If he improves his shot, he may be able to get back to playing with EP.

 

One thing I didn't like was his quote about if he scores 30 goals, the team will overlook other things. I don't like the way that he thinks about goal scoring as a trade-off with defensive responsibilities. Sure, the team will overlook it but they won't be happy. And in the playoffs, those weaknesses get exposed.

 

As it is now, he is at the bottom of the top 6 wing depth:

 

Boeser

Miller

Ferland

Baer

Pearson

Goldy

 

Ferland, Baer, and Pearson are versatile and can move up and down the line up so it's still possible for Goldy to earn a spot. 

 

[Timråfan]

 

1 hour ago, steve french said:

ink he has the tendency to lose confidence in his game. Perhaps some players do not respond well to the tough love.

One talked about Näslund earlier how hard he had it at the beginning and Goldy say the same as Dahlen talked about after Utica. Loss of confidence, afraid to do mistakes... 

Edited August 29, 2019 by Timråfan

[IBatch]

1 hour ago, Timråfan said:

 

One talked about Näslund earlier how hard he had it at the beginning and Goldy say the same as Dahlen talked about after Utica. Loss of confidence, afraid to do mistakes... 

Naslund at least didn’t shy away from contact during those stages or get rattled if targeted (hit) by another player. His skill came out later on too - because he worked on it endlessly the same way the best players in the game do.   This is one thing coaches at both levels try and help players get past (contact not affecting them and to keep working on their skills)- for Naslund it was a little easier to deal with given the era - constant hooks/holds/hits meant you wouldn’t last long if things got physical because it was all the time.  

 

Dahlen was disappointing for sure, he was a star one game I watched, and reminded me a little of Bure given similar physique and what he was doing with the puck (not the skating, although that wasn’t bad either).   I still don’t get that beyond maybe management just never saw him making it and felt it was better to pull the EP bandaid off sooner rather then later (best friend and all - why tease both guys if they never see it happening).  There was also some sentiment that Dahlen wasn’t happy because he wasn’t getting any NHL games - if that’s true then it also makes sense - players need to earn that opportunity.   Can move on from that - hopefully this Karlsson kid can make it. 

 

As far as Goldobin goes he didn’t sign the offer, and he might not get another one.   I had him in my pool last year and was overjoyed when he was a PPGer early on playing with EP...but that dried up once other teams starting zoning in on the pair - it does look like contact throws him off his game (both players actually) something that has to be  accepted and fought through for all players entering the league - the ones that survive don’t let it get to them and even encourage it.  His best route to the NHL is to persevere - a lot of other guys would love a qualifying offer and a chance to play games no matter what line the coach plays them on - not saying that you put a square peg in a round hole - but for now at least if he wants to be a Canuck he’s going to have to keep working at his game - and bide his time for his next chance to play with EP or even Horvat.   Injuries happen as do tweaking lines ... said it several times TG has the troops to make three scoring lines - and will if Sutter goes down.  Lots of room for Goldobin then.