Filatov

[playmaker26]

Can anyone tell me what is upside is in his current situation in Columbus?

I know there is always the potential for a prospect to be a bust but how likely is it for him to be one?

[mapletreemarty]

Filatov WANTS to play in N.America. He may crack the lineup this year with Columbus. Depending where he ends up, I would say 30-50 pts. If not, he\'ll be ready to go the following season starting in the top 6.

[playmaker26]

How much does the fact that he is in Columbus hurt him?

[Dakkster]

Not at all IMO. Hitch isn\'t a defensive coach, he\'s a systems coach. He\'s done wonders for Nash and Zherdev\'s production and development. Columbus is on the rise and with guys like Voracek and Brassard coming up, I think their future looks bright as a whole. Especially now that they\'ve shored up the offense with Huselius and Umberger and gotten some more solid blueliners.

[DAW]

I think Filatov is smart enough in his defensive zone more than some of us think.. So my feeling it won\'t hurt his long term or his short term.. What will hurt his production is ice time.. This really comes down to what role hitch wants to put him in... If he gets top six minutes i think we will see 60 points out of him.. If he gets 3rd or 4th line minutes he will either be sent to the CHL or produce around 30pts..

He is a gamble, but one that I feel is worth it in the long term..

[Murf99]

I think he has a littel less than a 50/50 chance of making the team and contributing this coming year. I don\'t see this guy being a bust, though you are right that there is always a chance.

Whenever this guy makes the NHL (if not this year than next year for sure) I think he will put up 50-70 points and is a potential 85-95 point guy in the future.

[wizworm]

As far as potential points go, Filatov was said to be just as good as Stamkos sikll wise. I\'d imagine his projections would be similar to Stamkos. Dobber says he\'s less of a sure thing than Stamkos but has a higher ceiling, so keep that in mind too when looking at him.

mapletreemarty\'s esitimate of 30-50 sounds about right.