Nikita Filatov

[Stephane Richer]

Two goals in two games for the Syracuse Crunch, hummmmmmmm.
http://www.syracusecrunch.com/News/Detail/2104
I believe he has two goals (one during a shootout) during his single game with the Jacket\'s against the Maple Leafs in pre-seaon play, hummmmmmm. Here\'s to hoping this guy is gold in a keeper ! This guy is two years younger than Radulov was when he was with the Admirals and was called up pretty quick.
See link

[pittshamblyuins]

Now if only Columbus gives this guy more responsibility than what Nashville did to Rads!

[Pavel Bure]

We\'ll see what happens tonight. I\'m predicting 12 minutes and 1 assist.

[ultrawhiteness]

practiced yesterday with modin and murray, which ain\'t horrible. well, better than the 4th line at least. but with hitch, you never really know.

[mapletreemarty]

He won\'t see any time on special teams, however, and CLB has had issues taking some dumb penalties this year. As long as they remain responsible in terms of not taking too many penalties, than he should see 12 minutes. If it\'s a parade to the penalty box than I could see closer to 10 minutes... unless their PP stinks and hitch puts him out there to try and get a spark out of their guys

[bluesummers]

Why do you seem so certain he won\'t see any time on the powerplay unless it isn\'t producing? I only ask because Aaron Portzline of the dispatch seems to think the exact opposite:

\"Player to watch: Forward Nikita Filatov. The team\'s 2008 No. 1 draft pick was dominating in two games in the minor leagues. Knowing coach Ken Hitchcock, Filatov might get limited time five-on-five, but will see lots of power-play time.\"

http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live/...E.html?sid=101

[mapletreemarty]

Just a hunch based on the fact that they\'re 8th in the league with a 23.1% success rate and scored twice last game on the PP, so it\'s not exactly like things aren\'t clicking right now.

However Hitch\'s paranoia with letting youngsters play 5 on 5 could be true as well... regardless he won\'t see as much ice time as he could were he under a different coach.

[bluesummers]

Yeah that makes sense too, good points. Probably not smart to tinker with something that isn\'t broken. I can\'t wait to see what happens though....

[mapletreemarty]

Yeah I wish I could watch that game instead of the Leafs vs. Rangers... wooptie flippin\' do.

[Pavel Bure]

Is Filatov still on a line Murray and Modin? Anybody have the latest news on him?

[doulos]

Modin is out with an injury so now he\'s lined up with soon to be superstars Novotny and Murray.

[Pavel Bure]

Nevermind, read the other thread about Modin on IR. I wish they would give Nik more playing time.

[mapletreemarty]

Looks like Novotny will play with Filatov and Murray on the third line tonight, according to the probable lines from the Columbus Dispatch.

[rticinelli]

The good news is that Malhotra didn\'t bump him off the third line. Trying to look at the silver lining, people...

In hindsight, I can understand why Dorsett was the first call-up over Filatov. Boll is the guy that went on IR, so Columbus had to replace their tough guy. I\'m willing to bet that if it were someone other than Boll to go on IR first, Filatov would have actually been the first call up.

It would be nice to see Filatov on the left wing on that second line, with Brassard and Voracek. I\'m sure Hitchcock would never role out three rookie forwards in a five-on-five situation, though.

This is just speculation, but I\'m guessing Filatov only had 4 minutes of icetime through the first two periods in the last game because the score got a little out-of-hand early on and there were a lot of penalties. In other words, lots of special teams play, as well as opportunity for injury with the heightened emotions and bodies flying that comes from a home-and-home set between rivals. I think Filatov will see somewhere in the 10-12 minute range of icetime, and will pick up a point or two (Vancouver\'s allowed 21 goals in five games).

I absolutely love this kid. I\'m a restraining order waiting to happen with him!

[mapletreemarty]

With the score the way it was in that 2nd NSH game, Hitch wanted to avoid Filatov getting plowed by Tootoo. He\'s doing a good job of looking after the kids, but is he babing them a little too much?? I mean these guys can handle themselves on the ice or else they wouldn\'t be playing hockey.