The Nikita Filatov Experiment Is Over (For This Season)
November 17th, 2009 | by sweetbob |
Nikita Filatov, the Blue Jackets #1 prospect, will be loaned to CSKA Moscow of the KHL this season. They have struggled to get him playing time so far this season. In two seasons of very limited work, he has tallied 6 goals and 0 assists. He had a 16 goal and 16 assist season in Syracuse last year, but that option didn’t seem popular to Filatov. He mentioned to the media before the season started that he didn’t want to play in Syracuse for another season. Can playing in the KHL this season develop Filatov into being a more well-rounded player?
The KHL is starting to gain steam as being another professional league in the world that, if they can land a few elite players, could possibly overtake the NHL. Many NHL teams are struggling to keep our of debt, but if the KHL can keep some of their top Russian-born player, they could overtake the NHL, but it will not be instantly, they have a long way to go.
The terms of loaning Filatov to the KHL has not been disclosed, but he will be better served by both leagues to get him developed into an elite player. He will get plenty of ice time on CSKA Moscow, he wasn’t playing much for the Blue Jackets. His development and attitude would suffer sitting on the bench.
I think this is a smart move since the Blue Jackets are one of the teams in the NHL that is struggling financially, mostly because of their arena. Attendance is up for Columbus so far this season and sending Filatov over to Russia for one season will not affect attendance. Blue Jacket fans have plenty of goal-scorers to get them to buy a ticket to a game. If Filatov can develop into a first-line candidate during his time in Russia, it was well worth sending him over.
Tags: nikita filatov
By Eric L. on Nov 17, 2009
At this point, I don’t see what the Blue Jackets are going to lose. They still have a lot of players that can score goals. Who knows, maybe in a few years, he will become a player that can attract a few more people to games.
By sweetbob on Nov 17, 2009
I agree Eric….it’s basically a win-win situation, unless he suffers some major injury over in Russia. He’s from there, so it’s not like they’re sending some guy to a foreign country to develop.