Sens' Filatov Headed To KHL: Nikita Filatov will join HC CSKA Moscow in the KHL and is done with the Senators this season, Bob McKenzie of TSN has confirmed. (Updated 12/12/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
His rights are still the property of the Senators, however, so any return to North America would ultimately lead him back to the organization, barring a trade elsewhere. Nikita Filatov has just one point in nine games this season and has had a difficult time cracking the lineup in recent weeks, so this development is hardly a surprise. (Updated 12/12/2011).
09/20/2011 16:59 Draft Prep 2011-12: Keep an eye on these young guns
Young players are the heart of the future. Rotowire's Janet Eagleson takes a look at some youngsters who you should target on Draft Day.
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. (Updated 10/4/11)
