Bad Wax

It’s no secret that when Nikita Filatov joined the Blue Jackets this year I was definitely excited.  I consider him to be one of the best young offensive talents in the league right now.  The problem is (and you see this a lot from younger go – to players) he doesn’t play defense very well.  I’ve been following Filatov since he came into the league last year and was proud when he became the first Blue Jackets rookie to ever record a hat trick.  Today while going through the hockey headlines, I came across a story that he is being loaned for the remainder of the season to CSKA Moscow of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Since Filatove is originally from Russia, the Blue Jackets feel that this is a win-win situation.  By allowing Filatov to join the KHL, they are allowing him to play against the best Russia (and Europe) have to offer.  Plus if he would be demoted to Syracuse, he would have only made $65,000.  In the KHL he should be making close to what his NHL contract was (875,000).  However, looking into this story deeper should concern most Blue Jacket fans (which admittedly are not many).

Filatov, when drafted in 2008 with the 6th overall pick was considered a risky pick.  Although he had made it clear that he wanted to play in North America, it was widely known that his ties to Russia would eventually lure him back to the KHL.  The Blue Jackets took the risk, signed him to a two-way contract and he spent most of the season with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL (the Blue Jacaket’s farm team).  This was done because Ken Hitchcock, didn’t trust the young star and had him on the 4th line.  He was seeing about 8 minutes a game, which is tough for someone like Nikita to adjust to since he was accustomed to playing 18-22 minutes a game in the juniors.

This season Filatov made the opening day roster, but was continued to skate on the 4th line, again earning about 8 minutes a game of ice time.  This has frustrated him to no end, he was even a healthy scratch five times this season.  I know Ken Hitchcock is considered a very good evaluator of talent, but of what I have seen of Filatov, I think they are making a big mistake by sending him to play in Russia.  With only 2 years left (after this season) on his contract, he will most certainly play out his entry-level contract, then it’s a guessing game.  If he does well this season in the KHL, we could be seeing the beginning of the end for Filatov in the NHL.  My guess is if he excels in the KHL, he’ll either ask for a permanent loan to the KHL or play out his two years in Columbus and then sign with a KHL team as a free agent.

It’s really sad to see this play out, there are so many teams in the NHL who would kill to have him on their second line.  He certainly has the scoring touch but maybe needs a little more seasoning.  Either way this story goes, whether it’s with the KHL or the NHL, it should make for an interesting story.  Personally I hope he matures his game this season in the KHL and brings back a refined game to the NHL where he becomes a better two-way player.

Interestingly, his best card, 2008 UD The Cup autographed rookie patch (pictured below) was selling in the $100+ range, has seemed to settle out in the $50 range now and may continue to find lower prices now that he is not in North America this season.  I would advise buyers to wait for more card loss in value before going to pick up any of his autographed or game used cards.   I don’t feel as though the market has bottomed out as of yet.  Will Nikita make a mark for himself in the world of the NHL?  The answer to that question should play out this season as we get to see what he can do with ample playing time.  I for one am hoping that he is able to take his game to the next level, then settle in as a top 6 guy for the Blue Jackets next season.