«He has great talent, but no stability» , — such comments have surrounded Nikolai Goldobin every now and then over the past few years. But today, because of his brilliant performance, you won’t even remember such words. There is simply no reason for this.
The 28-year-old forward began to demonstrate the so-called Goldishhow from the very first official match for Spartak, where he moved last summer after a logical and expected exchange from Magnitogorsk. Nikolai began to score points from game to game and is still doing this. Stability? Please: in 25 championship matches, the red-white newcomer scored 39 effective actions, 20 of which were goals. The forward has already repeated his personal record in points for the regular season and did it almost twice as fast as in the 2021/22 season, and also hit the mark of two dozen goals for the first time in his KHL career. A little more — and there will be a record for assists. In the ranking of the best snipers in the league this season, Nikolai has long staked his claim to leadership, as well as in the scorers’ race. And for some time he was even the first among assistants. Power.
The explanation for this phenomenon seems to be on the surface. Chat with Goldobin’s entourage, with Nikolai himself, or just look specifically at his actions on the ice rink (here you don’t even need to have analytical skills), and you will come to the same opinion: the forward is frankly enjoying himself. From Spartak, from the team, from hockey. Yes, from everything. There is an amazing atmosphere with positive energy around the entire “red and white” hockey community. In such conditions, there is no need to stress over trifles and burden yourself psychologically. But this to a large extent prevented Goldobin from fully revealing himself in Metallurg. Yes, on the one hand, Ilya Vorobyov found an approach to the forward to introduce him into the system of the ex-Magnitka mentor. On the other hand, there was so much psychological pressure along with this that the pleasure from playing that Nikolai experiences today in Spartak was not enough for him in Magnitogorsk.
As well as freedom of action. Alexey Zhamnov is generally a very demanding coach, but he understands that there is no need to narrow the scope of actions for his players too much. Goldobin is given the opportunity to create on the ice like an artist on canvas. This freedom only inspires the star forward and, again, gives him great pleasure in the best sport with a stick and puck. He found his team, his coach, his native nature.
Someone will say: “The championship is still starting now, only two months have passed.” But this is empty talk of people who like to belittle the dignity of others. During all this time, Nikolai brings benefits to the team. Only in six meetings did he leave the court without scoring points. So much for stability. I must admit, at the beginning of the season, I also, sinfully, noted that in games with teams in the “top” category, the performance was not encouraging. But in no case did I look for a pattern in this, I only singled it out as a fact. Goldie had a significant answer to this, for example, in the form of three points in the victorious derby against CSKA. There is no point in arguing: Kolya is a beast.
Let's be honest. Before the start of the season, no one expected that the new forward of the “red-and-whites” would perform so successfully, right? If only for the reason that it was not clear how Spartak would appear to the public with a new coaching staff and serious personnel changes in the lineup. And for two months now we have been watching matches of the KHL championship, and all we can do is admire Goldobin.
Yes, not only them. Pavel Poryadin and Ivan Morozov too. Their trio is already recognized by almost all hockey experts as the best in the entire league, and statistics only confirm these assessments. “Our Brazilians,” that’s what the rest of the Spartak players call this gang. Neymar, Vinicius, Richarlison, step aside while you can have a smoke, yes. But Goldobin is still at the top of this pyramid. It is Nikolai who right now is the most stellar KHL player in all understandings of this epithet.
It’s not just about the statistics and hat-tricks, which at this rate will become an enviable regularity for the forward, but also the attention to him from the public. After every Spartak home match, journalists, entering the team’s locker room, always go to Goldobin first. And regardless of how he showed himself on the court. Nikolai, let’s give him his due, does not refuse interviews, although one can guess that he might already be tired of it. Anyone in his place would be tired. But such is the fate of the league's main star.
It is important that Goldobin fully confirms this status with his attitude. Many in his place would have lowered their demands on themselves from the embrace of fame and words of praise from the public. And from love to hate — that is, from compliments to criticism — there is one step. Today you are a king, and tomorrow, if you suddenly stop being extravagant, you are no one. This is the difference between just a cool athlete and a superstar professional. Goldie belongs to the second, elite category.
Firstly, he proves his desire to develop and raise the already high bar even higher with his play and statistics. “And I still can’t get enough,” this song, which began to play after Goldie’s goals, perfectly describes the whole situation. Secondly, competent conclusions even after the most exciting matches, when it is easy to fall into euphoria. Here, for example, are his words after the victory over Neftekhimik (6:1), which Spartak achieved thanks in part to the hat-trick of its star: “I’m pleased with the result, but I don’t intend to stop. Our trio is very hungry for goals «It's nice, of course, that people think I can reach a hundred points in a season, but it's very difficult to achieve.» He understands that he is capable of playing even better, and yet the very height of the hockey season is ahead. It is very interesting what he will ultimately bring.
In the end, comparisons of a player with Connor McDavid, the best hockey player in the world today, are already considered recognition in the circles of the Russian hockey community. This parallel between the star Canadian and the leader of Spartak has been drawn more than once. Not because of the style of play, of course, but at least because of the incredible performance of the two strikers.
“»Russian McDavid? No, no, thanks. Better just Goldie!»
Nikolai GoldobinForward of «Spartak»
And rightly so, Nikolai. Be yourself and keep having fun. And we too will experience a thrill from your game.