Nikita Filatov

The 2010-11 season was largely one to forget for the talented Filatov. He started the year in Columbus, playing a total of 23 games, but was eventually sent down to Springfield of the AHL after putting up only seven points (all assists) during his stretch with the big club. With Springfield, Filatov notched nine goals and 11 assists in 36 games before suffering a season-ending concussion. After the season ended, it became apparent that Filatov and the Columbus Blue Jackets organization needed to part ways (rumors that the Columbus and Springfield coaching staffs had soured on Filatov were rampant) and the talented winger was eventually traded on the second day of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to Ottawa for a third-round pick (66th overall). While Filatov must share some of the blame for how he handled himself with the Columbus organization, the fact that he was rushed to the NHL like so many other Columbus prospects in years past certainly did not help his development. With a new lease on life in Ottawa, Filatov will be given every opportunity to play on one of Ottawa's top two lines. That being said, Ottawa's management has made it clear that he'll need to earn top-six minutes. It was a good sign when Filatov cut short a family vacation in the Dominican Republic to attend Ottawa's annual rookie development camp for a couple of days in late June before returning to Moscow. With new coach Paul MacLean stressing a puck possession game with speed, Filatov's talents might actually be exploited to their fullest. If Filatov can harness his talents and work hard all year, he might begin to scratch the surface of his potential and net upwards of 20-25 goals with 25 assists. At only 21 years of age, Filatov is still a prospect and will be allowed to make mistakes on what will be a very young Ottawa team, something he wasn't afforded in Columbus.

The 2010-11 season was largely one to forget for the talented Filatov. He started the year in Columbus, playing a total of 23 games, but was eventually sent down to Springfield of the AHL after putting up only seven points (all assists) during his stretch with the big club. With Springfield, Filatov notched nine goals and 11 assists in 36 games before suffering a season-ending concussion. After the season ended, it became apparent that Filatov and the Columbus Blue Jackets organization needed to part ways (rumors that the Columbus and Springfield coaching staffs had soured on Filatov were rampant) and the talented winger was eventually traded on the second day of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to Ottawa for a 3rd round pick (66th overall). While Filatov must share some of the blame for how he handled himself with the Columbus organization, the fact that he was rushed to the NHL like so many other Columbus prospects in years past certainly did not help his development. With a new lease on life in Ottawa, Filatov will be given every opportunity to play on one of Ottawa's top two lines. That being said, Ottawa's management has made it clear that he'll need to earn top-six minutes. It was a good sign when Filatov cut short a family vacation in the Dominican Republic to attend Ottawa's annual rookie development camp for a couple of days in late June before returning to Moscow. With new coach Paul MacLean stressing a puck possession game with speed, Filatov's talents could actually be exploited to their fullest. If Filatov can harness his talents and work hard all year, he might begin to scratch the surface of his potential and net upwards of 20-25 goals with 25 assists. This really is a make or break year for the youngster in terms of his development. At only 21 years of age, Filatov is still a prospect and will be allowed to make mistakes on what will be a very young Ottawa team, something he wasn't afforded in Columbus.

Filatov may have been the most talented played outside the NHL for a big chunk of last season, scoring 16 goals and 32 points in 39 games in the AHL and adding four goals in eight NHL games (including a hat trick against the Wild) when given a chance with the big club. The top two lines seem set in Columbus, but Filatov's intoxicating blend of blinding speed and electric skill could force coach Hitchcock to find a spot for him on a scoring line, or at the very least give him plenty of power play time, assuming he proves that he's ready for a bigger role in camp. If he earns that role, mark him down as a Calder Trophy favorite.

Filatov, picked sixth overall this year, is still a couple of years away from his NHL debut but that’s only because he still needs to add some padding to a skinny 170 pound frame. His talent could probably play in the big leagues right now: Filatov is fast and incredibly gifted with the puck, and the best comparison for his upside might be that of a Pavel Bure who actually worries about his own team’s end of the rink. He’ll start to get acclimated to North American hockey this season, and should be considered one of the early favorites for the ’09-’10 Calder Trophy.

Signed a three-year contract with Columbus in July of 2008.