"Nikita Filatov, once viewed as exceptional, is now the exception.

Precedent, of course, is always worth a headline, and in this case, the unusual decision Tuesday of the Columbus Blue Jackets to loan the 19-year-old Filatov to CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League as a means of furthering his hockey development was certainly noteworthy.

It's happened to other top Russian picks, but only when they have essentially failed as prospects. In Filatov's case, the Blue Jackets still very much believe that one day he'll be a 30- or 40-goal scorer in the world's best league, and that he still wants to be an NHL player."