It’s Time To Trade Nikita Filatov
December 21st, 2009 | by sweetbob |
This off-season when the Blue Jackets young phenom, Nikita Filatov, ran his mouth about getting more ice time, I was pumped that he was emotionally-invested in the team. Now, Filatov is on loan to the KHL, scoring goals in bunches, and still running his mouth. I wouldn’t think that I would ever say this, but it’s time for the Blue Jackets to trade Nikita Filatov.
I’m coming out now by saying this because I think that they could get an NHL-ready player or more than one for the young Russian goal-scorer. If they wait and he gets more aggrevated by the situation in Columbus, he may just opt to stay in Russia near his family and friends and not come back to Columbus at all. Keeping Filatov on the team isn’t a risk that Columbus can afford to do. He seems like a very emotional player and has to get a lot of ice time to be productive and happy with a team.
A lot of teams would love a player like Filatov and maybe Columbus could get a young, NHL-ready defenseman who can contribute right now. A trade of Filatov would probably have to take place after this season, since I’m sure many NHL scouts are over in Russia watching in person or reviewing tape of Filatov’s games.
Columbus had very high draft picks for years and they are stocked with young talent, but most of that young talent is on the other side of the puck. They are clear need of young defensemen, the only young defenseman that has potential is John Moore, their first-round selection in 2009. Don’t get me wrong, Cody Goloubef is a decent prospect, but Moore could be a legit first-line player. Marc Methot is young and productive in the NHL, I would trade Filatov to a team if they could get another player like Methot.
Columbus has given Filatov plenty of time to adjust to the NHL, Hitchcock seems to not like the kid, so it’s time to ship him out or in 2010-11, play him on the first or second line for the first two-three months to see if he has “it.” If he doesn’t, it could be too late to get value for him. Blue Jackets, either show your hand or muck your cards, it’s decision time right now.
Tags: cody goloubef, john moore, marc methot, nikita filatov
By Dark Blue Jacket on Dec 21, 2009
I largely agree with you, but the timing is the issue. Let him get through the World Junior Championships. Let him show himself to be a top prospect once again on the world stage. His trade value won’t be higher at that point.