The latest news is that indeed 2008 #6 overall pick Nikita Filatov is headed back to Russia to play for CSKA Moscow of the KHL.
I won't rehash everything I've covered on Filatov up to this point as you can find that here.
What I do want to say is that no matter how the organization tries to spin this Nikita Filatov's departure back to the KHL is a significant failure on many levels and nobody will escape blame.
This is the first major blemish of the Scott Howson era. He made the ultimate call on Filatov and he was well aware at the time of the flight risks that are now associated with drafting Russian players. If you step back and analyze this one could argue that Howson aloud this kid to force himself on the roster instead of insisting that once it was clear that Hitch wasn't going to play him that he go back to the AHL. Regardless of the current circumstances to lose the #6th overall pick for nothing to the KHL is horrendous asset management that could potentially set this franchise back a few years.
Hitch does not get out of this unscathed. There is a clear double standard that exists between his younger and older players. My guess is he'd probably admit to that. Can he honestly look himself in the mirror and say he gave this kid a fair shake? That his leash wasn't unfairly short at times? Was he really that bad or was he under a bigger microscope than most? When I look at how Brass and Jake were treated last year versus Filatov this year or how a turnover machine like Huselius is treated -- the answer is no.
Filatov himself also needs to take a hard look in the mirror. This move puts his character front and center. Sure he's got talent but he's also got baggage. Things didn't go his way so instead of gutting it out he chooses the easy way out and bolts for the comfort of home. A spot in the NHL is a privilege and not a gift. You have to earn your spot every day and every shift. I don't care if you're the #1 ranked prospect in the NHL or not... a spot in the NHL is not handed to you. Did he do everything he could? Was he focused both on and off the ice? With the rumors that he's out painting the town until the wee hours of the morning along with the fact that when the tough got going he bolted that answer is a clear no.
As much blame as there is to go around when you take a step back you can also see their positions.
During that draft Howson and the Jackets interviewed Filatov on numerous occasions. They put in their work on the kid and he said and did all the right things. True to his word Filatov was not under contract to anyone. He also said he would play where ever they wanted him to in that first year - and he did in the AHL. There was also a clear top 6 in that draft before what was perceived to be a big drop-off -- the Jackets picked 6th and took what was left which was Filatov. The pick was applauded by many, including myself, at the time.
Hitch's position is pretty simple to figure out. He's not in the development business. He's in the winning business. He is going to play the players he thinks gives him the best chance to win. He lives in the day to day and his job is to put notches in the win column. It's about the team and not individuals. It's not about coddling a young Russian offensive dynamo. This team is finally past the build and rebuild modes and is in win-now mode. All he has to do is point to the 11-6-2 record for proof.
I don't think it's very difficult to see Filatov's position on this either. He stuck by his word and put in the time last year in the AHL. He sees the double standard between himself and other young and veteran players. He sees every single player drafted in front of him playing a regular shift in the NHL. He feels like he's got the talent to play in this league but he feels like it's being squeezed out of him. He's not playing alot and he's playing not to make a mistake. As soon as he does he's on the bench. He's saying screw it, if you don't want me then I'll go somewhere who does. Remember this kid is only 19 and is playing in another country - could you imagine as a 19 year old making the kind of life change... on your own?
There are also miscalculations for each party.
The miscalculation on Howson was buying what Filatov was saying hook/line/sinker. A lot of people at the time said drafting a Russian so early was just too big a risk. Easy for me to say now right? Remember they hadn't even unloaded their other Russian headache in Zherdev at the time. Could be a very difficult lesson learned.
Hitch's miscalculation is that in the cap era every coach has to be able to develop talent on-the-fly. For a franchise like Columbus it's especially important as we don't have the flexibility to sign big name free agents or spend to the cap. Our elite talent has to be developed from within. Sometimes that will mean the typical college/junior -> AHL -> NHL development route.. Sometimes it may mean straight to the NHL. Sometimes it may mean some coddling. He always talks about how players have to play in uncomfortable situations to succeed - why should the coach be any different?
Filatov miscalculated that based on draft status and his KHL leverage that he would be given significant time on this team. The kid is a tremendous talent and I personally think has a better head on his shoulders than Zherdev - but in this league you have to earn everyone second you get out there. If things don't go your way then don't run away -- you meet the challenge and overcome it. His character has been exposed. Again remember though, he's a young 19 year old kid --- think back to what you were doing at that age?
The end result of all of this is Nikita Filatov is KHL bound on a "one year loan".
Yeah right.
...and last year's called up from the AHL was to "experience the NHL playoffs".
Don't believe it folks. I sure don't.
I believe Filatov has played his last game as a Jacket.
Sure people will say that it's good that he's at least playing somewhere and getting experience. Or that it's good he's going to the KHL so he can experience first hand what he's missing in the NHL. Gone will be the beautiful arenas, luxury hotels and first class flights. Replaced with buses, old smelly locker rooms and cots in gymnasiums.
That may all be true but when he does return it won't be as a Jacket. Not unless there is a coaching change which isn't going to and shouldn't happen.
Bridges have been burnt here that I don't think can or will be rebuilt. You have the whole teammate trust issue, a coach/player relationship that won't recover and a player that I can't see willing to return to a situation that was clearly a bad experience.
I could be wrong. Heck, bookmark this page and we'll find out in a year.
At this stage I think Howson has to try to salvage what he can from this situation. It won't happen overnight but he's got to move this kid's rights for something. It won't be easy to get quality for him because just 19 games into his rookie season this kid bolted -- who wants to take that risk or needs that headache?
He'll be patient like he always is and has the rest of this season and the offseason to pull something off.
Two players that come to mind are Kyle Turris in Phoenix and Luke Schenn in Toronto.
Turris is a center taken #3 overall pick in the 2007 draft and was supposed to be "can't miss". He's struggled and finds himself in the AHL scoring 12 points in 17 games. Perhaps there may be a fit there - a "change of scenery" trade. We could certainly use another center prospect in the org.
Luke Schenn went #5 right before Filatov in '08. He's had his share of struggles this season. Toronto is loaded with d-men but doesn't have much offensively. Brian Burke is not big on Euros however.
Both long shots but you'd hope there could be a 1:1 swap out there for a team desperate for some scoring talent.
And make no mistake about it fans - Filatov is going to be a scorer in this league. When guys like Brule and Zherdev were traded I wasn't worried about them coming back to really bite the Jackets. Trading Filatov, however, scares the hell outta me because I think this kid is a game breaker.
You know who is laughing about this right now? The New York Islanders. Why? They were the team that got slammed for trading down and passing on this kid and now look at em.
We should start hearing the dirty details of this situation start leaking shortly. Especially once the Russian media gets in touch with Filatov who has shown to be a very candid interview.
For now this distraction is gone and everyone can focus on the players that want to be here.
FIRE AWAY - thoughts on Filatov's future with the Jackets?
-LTL
