Comments for Failure To Launch at http://www.lightthelamp.com , comment 1 to 15 out of 15 comments http://www.lightthelamp.com Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:47:05 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-90 The thought that keeps coming back to my mind is "Will I miss him this year?" That answer is NO. He hasn't played that much to be noticible & you just have to trust H/H to do what's best for the team. We've all questioned their motives in the past, but more often than not, they're usually dead on. Filatov got a LOT of cheers when they called his name, but I think it's more the promise he brings than his on-ice performance. That is what I will miss. - Wally Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:26:46 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-88 Thanks for the comments Hard on the puck and Wally. Now that this has happened part of the fun is guessing where he'll be next season and backing it up with why you think so -- then lookin back to see how close we were. You both make Solid arguments for sure. As I stated in another post we should all be paying strict attention to the WJCs this season -- his performance in that tournament will tell us quite a bit about his future. (well Hemsky doesn't just score on us -- he just put on home on the Adam Foote-less Avs) -LTL - LTL Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:41:12 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-85 Wow. LTL, I think your just way off here. I've been an avid reader of your blog since the beginning (and even your HF days), and generally agree with you. But I disagree with your conclusions that Filatov will never wear our jersey again and we should trade his rights for the 1st good offer. Filatov is 19 years old. He's clearly physically immature, and by some accounts emotionally/mentally still acting his age too. (Good point about asking how we were at that age). This is a man's league and a extremely physical sport. He just can't handle that yet. (How many 19 year olds anyway could play a down in the NFL???). It's not as much about the turnovers, as him being physicaly pushed around. That's what I've seen in the games he's played. He's just not ready. Hitch's job is to win games. More ice time for Filatov is not going to make him bigger or stronger. He does need to play. I agree that ideally he'd go to the AHL and play. He did that last year and didn't like it. Once again, culture shock, immaturity, coming from privilege, etc, factor in. He wants to play, and the NHL is not an option. Not for CBJ, and I'm not sure even for a team with a top 6 spot. I think a season in the NHL for him would be a waste like it was for Brule. For any team. He won't succeed and will lose lots of confidence. I think everyone knows sending him down is the best answer. He'd rather play and ride buses in Russia than in Syracuse. I think his mother is part of this as well. She's still pulling Nikki's strings (see emotional maturity). And she wants him home if not in the NHL. Scott Howson told me once that his mother was a large distraction for the organization. So they figured out this loan to KHL path. Is it ideal? No. Is it risky? Yes. Just because of the lack of a transfer agreement. But it is the best alternative for the development of Filatov. Howson's a lawyer. He's made sure (all possible) that its only a loan. And he's taking Nikita at his word that he wants to be a star in the NHL. And have his name mentioned with Ovechkin, Malkin and Kovalev. Filatov will be back in camp next year, as a 20 year old and earn a roster spot, legitimately. If he doesn't earn it next year, then the wasted draft pick discussion should begin. Just my opinion - Hard on the puck Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:04:51 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-83 There is another Russian on the Blue Jackets... One just had a shootout goal the other night. Hitch's bias is well documented and understood when it comes to rookies. Russians? I think the comment about Z was out of line (a little), but bottom line is that Hitch wants Filatov to succeed without compromising the team's ability to win on a nightly basis. Z didn't show up, didn't want to play, didn't want to work, etc.... As the years went by, I'm sure he couldn't wait to get the hell out of Dodge. We certainly don't want to install that attitude in Filatov. I think by the end of the season, he'll have a chance to reflect on his mistakes/choices... I think he wants to be a Malkin or an Ovechkin, and be one in the NHL. He will be back & the CBJ will own him. - Wally Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:45:28 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-79 Ep - I think one area we disagree on is how far apart Juice's game is to Filatovs. While Juice is the better player (with 9 years in the NHL he should be) I think their styles - Euro, offensive, soft - are very comparable. ..and it's very interesting to me to see how Hitch treats one versus the other. There is bias here that is as bright as the sun to me. I dug up some stats that I'm post here shortly. -LTL - LTL Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:34:37 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-78 The Juice/Filatov comparison I keep hearing is a bit too much for me... Don't get me wrong, Juice will never be mistaken for a 2-way player but he's ok on the defensive side. Plus Juice's performance since he came back really helped Nash a lot didn't it ?? - eplagge Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:13:05 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-77 LTL: You have every right to be deeply concerned - word from my sources were that Filly wanted to go back to Russia after only game 4, but, his agent talked him into staying around. Sounds like either a kid with shattered confidence, a kid who's just that - a kid (great points about the situation he was thrust into - how would any of us react, in the same situation?), someone who was told one thing and the reality was another, or someone who was upset over the way he was treated - shortest leash for him, longer leashes for others. As I've stated, before, the H&H boys go out to meet with Zherdev in Ottawa to clear the air/past, start anew, and let Zherdev improvise. How much damage would that really have done, had they done this with Filatov? Instead, the kid was forced into being something he was not - he appeared so worried to not make a mistake, it lead to just that - he made a lot of mistakes. LTL, you're dead on in the suggestions of trading for Schenn or Turris, but, it's far too late, I believe - Brian Burke and the 'Yotes GM now know Howson is not in a position of strength - so, all they'd offer would be ridiculous trades proposals. - Mase1 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:42:52 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-74 I don't think the sky is falling Visqi.. Just callin it as I see it. In fact I am not at all surprised this has occurred and am a little relieved a decision has been made to be honest. That doesn't mean I'm gonna ignore it and drink the CBJ kool-aid that a "one year loan" back to the KHL is any way/shape/form a good thing b/c it's not. (love that "conditioning" line though) This isn't Plekhanov (who also won't see a CBJ sweater) or a Wharton who were loaned out here. This is the guy who was voted the #1 prospect not in the NHL -- whom alot of folks picked as a rookie of the year candidate. You just don't "loan" those kinds of talents out. NHL teams do everything they can to get their blue chip prospects out of Europe to develop in NA...not send them back. That's all we heard about when Filatov got drafted.. Will he come to NA? He better keep his word and come to NA! Now that he's going back it's a good thing? C'mon. I hear the soccer comparisons but this isn't soccer. The NHL has a clear development system in place. If you make the jump from Europe and aren't good enough to go straight to the NHL and want to get good enough to play there - then you better pay your dues in juniors or the AHL. This was an easy out for everyone.. plain and simple. Hey.. maybe he goes home, develops and figures out how to play in Hitch's system in the wide open European style of hockey that is played in the KHL.. then perhaps he comes back over and scores 30 goals next season. That would be terrific. Just not buyin it. I think he'll be back in the NHL next year, just not as a Jacket. At least not with Hitch as head coach. He's got the skill level... just the wrong fit at the wrong time. I'm not convinced a year in the KHL will change any of that. I'm gonna miss him though.. hell he's generated the most comments on this blog since it launched :) -LTL - LTL Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:09:31 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-73 LTL and Co., Everyone needs to calm down a bit. Was it that big a suprise that the kid is not on the team? I have been to all but one home game and Fily was not comfortable on the ice. He just didnt belong. If this was any other prospect they would be sent back to the their junior team and really that is what happened. Now if next year he doesnt come back then alright, critize H&H for their mishandling of the situation but I dont know why this kid cant come back next year, stronger in better shape with experience against some decent competition and be better for it. Again I dont mind sending him off to Russia and I think that if the bridges are burned then Howson is building value in Fily and will deal him to a team that needs top 6 talent but can afford to develop it in the NHL (Toronto comes to mind) and I said today to one of my friends that Schenn is the perfect return. Burke gets his O and we get the D man that we always wanted. I say Phoenix is out because the last thing Howson will want to do is deal this guy to the West where we will face him 4 times a year. - anml034 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:07:18 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-72 Filatov could have "defected" any time, but he would have gotten suspended by the IIHF. This way he gets out from under Hitcock's thumb and still gets to play in the World Juniors and the World Championships this spring. I really thought he was stuck here until after the WJC and then would jump ship afterwards and take his suspension years beween the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. Don't think for one minute that he's some dumb little kid who doesn't know what he's doing. I personally don't think that Filatov ever plays for Ken Hitcock again, and they would probably both agree with that. - Juneemoon Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:31:49 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-71 I am so friggin pissed right now! This can't be happening...again. LTL, I agree that Filatov does seem to have a better head on his shoulders than Zherdev. We all saw pictures of him working out in the offseason in Russia and seemed to be putting in the work in the offseason to make the jump to the NHL fulltime. I guess I have a problem with Hitch at this point. You could make a valid point that Filatov and Juice were identical twins on the ice. Neither seemed to want to bang bodies, fight for the puck, or "get dirty" in the corners. Both turn the puck over way too much. How come Juice doesn't get "healthy scratched"? How come Juice doesn't get his ice time cut? How come Juice doesn't get a scolding at center ice during practice for ten minutes? I don't like the double standard at all. We all know that Juice and Filly aren't your typical Hitch-type players, but you can't punish one and not the other. I don't want to say that I don't blame Filatov for leaving, becasue he made a commitment to this team and this city, but come on, how many times was he just gonna sit there as a healthy scratch? To be honest, if the Jackets weren't doing so well in the Central, I think this whole thing plays out a lot different and Filatov gets his playing time. - Teddy Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:13:07 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-70 "I believe Filatov has played his last game as a Jacket"? It's a loan. It's a development trip, not a defection. If he wanted to defect, he could have very easily done so without consulting with the Jackets organization. He has been very careful not to burn any bridges in public (and while absolutely everybody in the world seems eager to speculate on private bridges, I'm not about to). Folks need to calm down, step back, take a deep breath and realize that this isn't the end of the world. CBJ management actually [b]agreed[/b] with him on the need for a conditioning/development stint in Russia - just check the Puck Daddy interview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Filatov-Why-I-m-leaving-Columbus-for-Russia?urn=nhl,203134). Don't start pointing fingers until the sky has actually fallen. It hasn't yet. Honestly, I'd expected better. - Viqsi Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:04:51 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-68 RG Great point about the extra cap room. Hopefully it will be spent. I am of a minority who believes that we need a true enforcer. They are cheap. We have nobody to compete with the likes of: Belak Jansen ect. Dont even think about saying Boll can throw down with those guys. He wont shy away, I think, but he certainly cant hang with them. Without an enforcer, other teams will take a run at our goalies, Nasher , ect... - K Richards Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:52:29 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-67 We will not see Filatov wearing a CBJ sweater again. Why worry about the future (with this kid)? I am worrying about the balance of the month of November , which will be on the road. I am concerned with the recent Raffi injury. I am hoping the SJ smokes nashville tonight and hoping that Staubitz does another number on Tootoo. I am worried about this year, not next year. - K Richards Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:35:03 +0100 http://www.lightthelamp.com/2009-articles/november/failure-to-launch.html#comment-66 LTL-This is very similar to soccer-- in terms of loaning a player to another team. Filatov might be making history with this loan. Maybe this will catch on with other clubs. You make some valid points. I do think that he will be back next year but the relationship between Hitch and "Leaveatov" has been dealt a major blow. I don't know if this can be fixed. Good news is that we have some extra cap space this year....Which the front office will NOT spend. - RG Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:24:52 +0100