Nikita Filatov News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 19

Columbus Dispatch

"Center Derick Brassard had known for weeks that Nikita Filatov was unhappy with his role on the Blue Jackets and wanted to return to Russia. At first, Brassard tried persuading his friend to give the situation more time. Injuries were inevitable, he told Filatov, and ice time and opportunities would increase. But within the past week, Brassard's message changed as he realized Filatov was intent on going home. "I told him if you do it, do it with class," Brassard said. "Don't go away saying anything that will make people mad at you. I think he handled it well." Yesterday, Filatov flew home. The Blue Jackets agreed to loan him to CSKA Moscow of the Continental Hockey League for the remainder ..."

Filatov's return uncertain

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November 18

Columbus Dispatch

"The Blue Jackets are about to take a leap of faith with prized prospect Nikita Filatov. The organization's decision to allow Filatov, 19, to return to his former Russian club for one season comes with a written contract, but no guarantees. The Jackets yesterday announced they had agreed to loan the winger to CSKA Moscow of the Continental Hockey League (KHL). With no player transfer agreement in place between the NHL and KHL, however, Filatov can remain in Russia as long as he desires. In essence, the Jackets have a handshake deal with Filatov, CSKA and its coach-general manager Sergei Nemchinov. "All we have given him is the right to stay for this season," Blue Jackets general manager ..."

Back to Russia, for now

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November 18

Columbus Dispatch

"When the Blue Jackets depart today for a season-high five-game trip that begins Thursday at Dallas, rookie left winger Nikita Filatov will be headed, in so many ways, in the opposite direction. Unable to gain the trust of coach Ken Hitchcock and earn significant ice time, Filatov began pushing this month for a return to his native Russia, where he can play more and be a goal-scoring star. The Blue Jackets granted Filatov's wish yesterday, agreeing to loan him to CSKA Moscow of the Continental Hockey League for the remainder of the season. Filatov and the Blue Jackets say that he will return to Columbus next September for training camp, but there are no guarantees. "It has been frustrating ..."

A tale of two NHL youngsters, Filatov and Schenn

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November 18

Toronto Star

columnist Damien Cox

"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."

Filatov to Moscow, this loan has high rate of interest

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November 18

Columbus Dispatch

"Nikita Filatov was buried so deep in Columbus that he will reappear on the other side of the planet. Yesterday, it became official: Filatov, a gifted former first-round NHL draft pick, was loaned to CSKA Moscow of the Continental Hockey League. The first year of his NHL contract has been burned. It will be spent on another continent. This is a hot topic among Blue Jackets fans, and for many reasons. Does coach Ken Hitchcock have something against Russian players? That is one theory being espoused -- especially in Russia. First, Sergei Fedorov was picked on, then Nikolai Zherdev was shipped out, and now this. Does Hitchcock's ego have room for world-class talent? He seems to go out of his ..."

Filatov leaving Blue Jackets

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November 17

Columbus Dispatch

"Rookie left winger Nikita Filatov is leaving the Blue Jackets to return to his native Russia, The Dispatch has learned. The Blue Jackets today reached a one-year loan agreement with CSKA-Moscow of the Contental Hockey League. Filatov will play his first game in Russia on Saturday. "Everybody had high expectations for him," Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said. "I still have high expectations for him. "It's just not happening as soon as we'd hoped, but that's OK, too." The Blue Jackets have been assured that Filatov will return to Columbus next fall for training camp, Howson said. They own Filatov's NHL rights through at least the 2016-17 season. Many expected Filatov, 19, to ..."

Filatov might leave team this week, sources say

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November 17

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets rookie forward Nikita Filatov, who has struggled to remain in coach Ken Hitchcock's lineup, might be headed back to Russia, perhaps as soon as this week, according to sources within and beyond the NHL. Jackets general manager Scott Howson would not comment on a potential agreement allowing the 19-year-old Filatov to return to his former club team, CSKA Moscow. Nothing has been finalized, however, and Filatov and the Blue Jackets are expected to talk again today about the possibility of staying in Columbus. At least one teammate has encouraged Filatov to give the situation more time before making a decision, a source said. Neither Filatov, a healthy scratch last night against ..."

Filatov gets time, shows progress

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November 5

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets rookie Nikita Filatov was disappointed with the chance he failed to convert last night. In the context of his development, however, the winger was pleased with the opportunities he received. Filatov, who failed on a shootout attempt, played a season-high 11 minutes, 33 seconds in a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Coach Ken Hitchcock, missing two key forwards, had enough faith in Filatov to play him in the final three minutes of a tie game. "It's a sign of trust," Filatov said. "I'm not usually on the ice in the final five or six minutes of a period." Filatov, who had not played 10 minutes in a game this season, bounced around the third and fourth lines because an upper-body ..."

Blue Jackets support Filatov as he bides his time

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October 10

Columbus Dispatch

"Amid the chaos of Thursday's 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks, Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard tried to be a calming influence. Each time Brassard returned to the bench, he sat next to rookie winger Nikita Filatov. Locating Filatov wasn't difficult, as he barely moved, drawing only eight shifts. "It's hard when you see a guy go through it, when he's not playing much," Brassard said. "I know, because I've been there, and so have most of the guys in this dressing room. "Nikita, in his head, feels like he can score a goal in every game, so when his ice time drops, you know he's thinking about it, how he can earn the coach's trust, and how he can help his team win the game." Filatov's ice ..."

Don't read much into bogus Filatov tweets

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October 1

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets rookie Nikita Filatov said he does not tweet, has not tweeted and won't be tweeting anytime soon. His online impersonator, however, was singing like a bird yesterday. A person on the social networking site alleging to be Filatov apologized to the player and the organization for any trouble his Twitter posts had caused. The apology was made on the bogus account, which had 396 followers. The "phony" Filatov exposed his prank less than a day after writing he was receiving a large contract offer from Russia's Continental Hockey League. The Jackets contacted Twitter yesterday to inform the site of the fraudulent activity. "I had no idea about this site," Filatov said, laughing. "I ..."

Filatov's honest, talented -- and he'll be a Jacket

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September 12

Columbus Dispatch

columnist Michael Arace

"It is possible that Nikita Filatov will be playing in Magnitogorsk, Moscow, or some other city in Russia's Continental Hockey League this season. It is equally possible that Rick Nash will be wearing a Maple Leafs jersey. Filatov arrived in Columbus on Wednesday night. Today, he will have his physical, the first official task of Blue Jackets training camp. He will be watched closely because he is 19 years old, arguably the most talented player in the team's stable -- and unafraid to speak his mind. Last month, Filatov caused a stir on two sides of the globe when he told a Russian journalist that he has interest in the Continental Hockey League, or KHL. Filatov said he had been approached ..."