Sharks select Nikolay Goldobin with 27th overall pick in NHL Draft

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The San Jose Sharks selected forward Nikolay Goldobin with the 27th overall pick of the 2014 NHL Draft on Friday.

San Jose acquired the pick after swapping picks with the Chicago Blackhawks earlier in the night.

For better or worse, comparisons are already being made between Goldobin and another talented Russian forward who cut his teeth in North American hockey via the Sarnia Sting, namely Nail Yakupov.

As such, while his offensive talent is undeniable - his hands, speed, creativity, shooting and passing allow him to excel in that regard - there are the token questions about his play in his team's half of the ice (springing from his minus-30 rating this past season) and his ability to battle through tough defensive opposition.

Here's an example of Goldobin's gifted offensive touch: