San Jose Sharks: Surprises and Disappointments from Preseason
By Erik West
Surprise: Nikolay Goldobin
Sep 23, 2014; Stockton, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left winger Nikolay Goldobin (82) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL Preseason game at the Stockton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
His skill is not a surprise, and it should not be as a first round pick; the surprise is that he is still around this late in camp. Usually, a first round draft pick does not make the team after his first training camp, unless you are the first through fifth pick, and maybe up to the seventh pick if it is a deep draft. Last years’ draft was not particularly deep, and Nikolay Goldobin was not a top-five pick, so for him to be one of the last cuts is somewhat amazing.
For example, Tomas Hertl and Mirco Mueller (2012 and 2013 first round picks) were some of the first cuts in the training camp directly after their respective draft years. To further detail, Hertl was in a deeper draft, and would have probably gone in the Top 10 in Goldobin’s draft. This also shows how good the Sharks’ scouts are.
Goldobin was the seventh leading scorer in the OHL with 38 goals and 56 assists for 94 points in 67 games for the Sarnia Sting.