Former KHL forward Maxim Rybin expressed his views on the performance of SKA forward Nikolai Goldobin. The winger has found himself sidelined at times due to what head coach Igor Larionov perceives as a lack of commitment.

“With such talent, it’s puzzling that he struggles to make the lineup for SKA. The questions really lie with the player himself. Perhaps he has lowered his own standards. Larionov has made it clear that if you meet his expectations, you’ll play; if not, you’ll be left on the bench. In my personal opinion, I doubt Goldobin will finish the season. To me, he resembles a second Evgeny Kuznetsov — he joined ‘Metallurg’ and hasn’t been making much of an impact,” Rybin was quoted as saying by ‘Sport Day by Day.’

This season in the KHL, Goldobin has tallied 10 points (3 goals and 7 assists) in 16 games for the St. Petersburg club.