Assessing talent of newest trio
A closer look at the three players acquired by the Canucks at the trade deadline
The Canucks are excited about their haul from the NHL trade deadline, but what’s the opinion of the rest of the hockey world? Here are some thoughts about Jonathan Dahlen, Nikolay Goldobin and Joseph Cramarossa from the scouting community:
Of the three new Canucks, the loudest buzz is about Dahlen, who was acquired Monday from Ottawa for Alex Burrows.
One Eastern Conference scout compared him favourably with fellow Swede Alex Nylander, who went eighth overall to Buffalo in the 2016 draft. Another Eastern Conference scout isn’t as high on him, but says Dahlen, who was the Senators’ second-round pick last summer, projects as a Top 6 forward.
“Smart, heady,” said one Western Conference scout, reading from his notes on Dahlen at the World Juniors. “Arrives at the right place. Not pretty, but effective,”
The same scout compared him with the Capitals’ Justin Williams.
Dahlen’s skating was an issue in his draft year, but most scouts feel it’s improved.
“He plays the game fast,” TSN’s Craig Button says. “He’s got the determination and the mind to score, and everyone is looking for scoring.”
Dahlen’s size — 5-foot-11, 176 pounds — is a concern, but his dad, Ulf, was a 200-pounder who played 966 NHL games and scored 301 career goals. Ulf wasn’t a fluid skater, but built his game on smarts, competitiveness and a willingness to battle in the game’s dirty areas. The scouts say his son has the same traits.
The consensus? If this was his draft year, the younger Dahlen would go in the first round.
Nikolay Goldobin
The question with Goldobin, who was picked up Tuesday from San Jose for Jannik Hansen, isn’t talent.
The 21-year-old Muscovite has produced at every level, recording 94 points in 67 games with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting in his draft year and 41 points in 46 games with the AHL’s San Jose Barracudas, before the trade to the Canucks.
“He’s a skilled kid, a little slight (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), but a good skater with good puck skills,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “There’s always a bit of trepidation there (about his size), but he clearly has NHL talent.”
Some scouts have an issue with Goldobin’s compete level.
“He’s an in-and-out player emotionally,” one scout from the west said.
“I guess the question is how hard he’s going to work,” said another.
Button, however, has a different take.
“I’ve never seen him pushed out of a game because he wasn’t competitive,” he said. “The challenge for Nikolay is upping his pace of play. That’s why he’s good on the power play. The game is slower.”
Joseph Cramarossa
The 24-year-old centre was picked up on waivers from Anaheim on Wednesday. He’s never been a big point producer, but he earned a spot on a good Ducks team this season and represents an upgrade on the Canucks’ bottom-six forwards.
“I like the kid,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. “He played desperate hockey for us. He reminds me a bit of Alex Burrows.”
Cramarossa is 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, and had 51 penalty minutes in 49 games with Anaheim, but became expendable when the Ducks traded for Patrick Eaves.
“He’ll (Cramarossa) stick up for his smaller teammates,” Carlyle said.
But no one should have any illusions about his skill level.
“On a good team, he’s closer to the American League than your fourth line,” one scout said.