Goldobin heading to KHL: Canucks 'did not want to sign me'

Nikolay Goldobin is planning to leave the NHL and return to his homeland to continue his hockey career.

The Russian forward, who played in the Vancouver Canucks organization this season, confirmed as much to TSN 1040's Rick Dhaliwal on Saturday.

"The Canucks did not want to sign me," Goldobin said. "I was disappointed how it turned out in (Vancouver) but I am happy to sign in (the) KHL and will try (the) NHL again in two years."

Sport-Express' Igor Eronko reported earlier Saturday that Goldobin was "set to sign" a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow.

The 24-year-old forward inked a one-year, $900,000 pact with the Canucks back in September.

Goldobin posted 50 points in 51 games with Vancouver's AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, this season. He played one game for the Canucks in 2019-20, suiting up against the Pittsburgh Penguins in late November.

The Moscow native was in his fourth campaign with the Canucks organization. Vancouver acquired him from the San Jose Sharks in a trade for forward Jannik Hansen in March 2017.

Goldobin produced a career-high 27 points across 63 games in 2018-19.

The Sharks drafted him 27th overall in 2014.