Canucks Recall Nikolay Goldobin From Utica

It finally happened!

The Canucks announced this morning that Nikolay Goldobin had been recalled in advanced of their game this morning against the New York Rangers.

It was only a matter of time before Goldobin returned to the Canucks. A when, not an if, that got pushed ever closer with each game that the young Russian played and dominated. Sent to the Comets on the eve of the regular season after a so-so training camp, Goldobin has been excellent, a standout player in each and every game for the Comets this season.

His 19 points (in 18 games) lead the Comets, and are tied for ninth in the American Hockey League. His 12 assists also lead the lead, while his seven shots are second on the squad, and his 36 shots are third.

We were all well aware of Goldobin’s offensive prowess when he was reassigned to the AHL in October, and it was his all around that the Canucks wanted him to pay special attention to. From a goal standpoint, he managed to stay even, with a 50% goals-for ratio. Given that the Comets as a whole have been well under even at 5-on-5, this is an accomplishment. His GF% relative to the team is a +8.1%.

Visually, Goldobin’s defensive game has taken noticeable strides, and the organization’s mandate to have him kill penalties in an effort to increase his attention to detail on the defensive side has worked wonders in that regard. Goldobin went from spot duty shorthanded to the regular rotation, not only because the Canucks wanted it, but also because he was good at it.

I mentioned on Nation Network Radio a couple of weeks ago that the Canucks didn’t need Goldobin to kill penalties in the NHL, but after the success he’s had in Utica, they might just want to give that a try. Even though he hasn’t produced any shorthanded points yet, he was routinely dangerous, especially over the past handful of games. Forming a tandem with Comets captain Carter Bancks, Goldobin was generating a staggering amount of odd-man rushes and scoring chances while killing penalties. Better yet, he did so by winning battles on the wall and anticipating passes well and getting in lanes, generating turnovers himself.

Comets General Manager Ryan Johnson stated earlier this season that once Goldobin was called up, he expected him not to be back in Utica. Rather than yo-yo’ing the waiver exempt prospect between the NHL and the minors, the Canucks wanted to make sure that Goldobin was ready to make a permanent stay in the National Hockey League. The fact that they’ve recalled him should indicate that they feel he’s at that point.

Update: The Canucks have announced that Goldobin won’t play today, as Burmistrov for Sutter will be the only change to the lineup. However, it shouldn’t be too long before he makes his season debut with the team.

There’s no shortage of forwards that could come out to make room for him. While it is already determined that Burmistrov will be in today for an injured Sutter, there are a handful of players whose lineup spots shouldn’t be guaranteed. Jake Virtanen and Brendan Gaunce are at the top of that last, having been healthy scratched plenty already, and suffering from other barriers to boot: Virtanen clearly still hasn’t earning the coaching staff’s trust, with dwindling third period ice time, while Gaunce has now played 82 NHL games since his last, and only, NHL goal. Meanwhile, Markus Granlund’s iffy start to the season should make him a candidate for sitting a game out as well.