Rookie forward Nikita Filatov, who has struggled to remain in coach Ken Hitchcock’s lineup, might be headed back to Russia, perhaps as soon as this week, according to sources within and beyond the NHL.
Oh boy...
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Truth should never get in the way of a good persecution complex.
I'm more worried about learning that there has been contention between Hitch and Howson---everybody has acted like they were some invincible team or something...
NOT good news, I was so excited when we drafted him
Filatov has looked like a lost puppy out there, which is a lot like what Brule looked like when he was around.
Yes, there has been some discussion of what is to become of Filatov for the rest of this season. But this isn't a case of "I'm deserting the team, good luck getting me back". What's been discussed is some type of loan arrangement that would last the duration of the season and would also allow the possibility of playing in the World Championships. There's plenty of details that would need to be ironed out first, including NHL approval.
Hitchcock should be fired for this, Filatov was doomed from the start when he was drafted.
How's the kid supposed to succeed when he's playing with Jared "doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground" Boll??
Meanwhile, Stamkos, Tavares, E. Kane, O'Reilly, Duchene, and van Reimsdyk continue to thrive because they have coaches that don't bench them at the first mistake they make. Players don't play well when they fear of making a mistake and being bench. Ask Brule.
Flyers fans warned us this would happen, we should've listened.
Hitchcock should be fired for this, Filatov was doomed from the start when he was drafted.
How's the kid supposed to succeed when he's playing with Jared "doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground" Boll??
Meanwhile, Stamkos, Tavares, E. Kane, O'Reilly, Duchene, and van Reimsdyk continue to thrive because they have coaches that don't bench them at the first mistake they make. Players don't play well when they fear of making a mistake and being bench. Ask Brule.
Flyers fans warned us this would happen, we should've listened.
"We" can't do squat about it.
Hitchcock won't be fired for not playing a kid who has made no impact on the team (which has a good record at the moment).
Talk about a weird, wacky fantasy land you live in, Timeless.
The team is winning without him, and it could be a chance for him to enjoy hockey and play again. Yes there's a chance he won't come back, that's the risk we took when drafting him.
Would I rather have him here, yes, but this may be the thing which helps his development more.
Hitchcock won't be fired for not playing a kid who has made no impact on the team (which has a good record at the moment).
Talk about a weird, wacky fantasy land you live in, Timeless.
How much impact are you expecting from a kid who is afraid that if he turns the puck over once or takes one penalty he is getting bench the rest of the game.
Playing a sport takes confidence in your ability and when your confidence is being destroyed by your coach your going to play like crap most of the time. He played a few good games and got zero reward for it and then he had a bad shift or two last game and they called up a player from the minor leagues to take his spot.
How much impact are you expecting from a kid who is afraid that if he turns the puck over once or takes one penalty he is getting bench the rest of the game.
Playing a sport takes confidence in your ability and when your confidence is being destroyed by your coach your going to play like crap most of the time. He played a few good games and got zero reward for it and then he had a bad shift or two last game and they called up a player from the minor leagues to take his spot.
That's how I saw it
Tom was good, but he wasn't that good...
You people supporting this Hitchcock Russian bias are nuts... Hitchcock is 60 and still trying to win the game as they did in the late 90's. He's been fired twice since his great cup win 10 years ago.
You Filatov haters may be laughing right now but the season is not over... Howson's name is on this to; I want to know who is running this team-the general manager or the coach.
This is not over folks.
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"When I die I will be buried upside down so all of my critics can kiss my ass"~ Bobby Knight
You people supporting this Hitchcock Russian bias are nuts... Hitchcock is 60 and still trying to win the game as they did in the late 90's. He's been fired twice since his great cup win 10 years ago.
You Filatov haters may be laughing right now but the season is not over... Howson's name is on this to; I want to know who is running this team-the general manager or the coach.
This is not over folks.
You are creating something out of nothing.
If Hitchcock were "in charge", Filatov would have never been drafted.
If Howson were "in charge", Filatov would be getting 15 minutes a night.
All I have to say is GOOD FOR FILATOV. His dream has always been to play in the NHL so I believe he will return next season. He's too young to settle down in Russia just yet. He is at an age where he needs to be developed. He needs to be on the ice whether it be in Columbus, Syracuse or Russia. Sitting on the bench is just hurting his confidence while increasing tension between him, Hitch and Howson.
IMO, Hitch was on the path to ruining him and Nik did the right thing. He is getting nothing out of being in Columbus. It's painfully apparent that he isn't a part of Hitch's plan, so why should he sit around and wait? It's better that he be in Russia. He is only 19. He has plenty of time for an NHL career though I doubt it will be with Columbus.
But once again, for those who want to play Filatov you really need to ask yourself where he would fit.
Nash/Vermette/Juice/Brassard/Voracek are all locks for the top 6. That leaves only 1 spot open and with RJ's ability to take FOs and his defensive play it makes him a no brainer for the last spot. Right now, he doesn't fit on the squad.
Also, what good would he bring in the lineup if he's a liability defensively?
The best thing that can happen to this team is exactly this. Remove the freaking soap opera from the locker room and concentrate on winning hockey games.
The dude clearly is not ready to play in the NHL. Period
If anyone should be questioned, I'd start with our GM, who obviously at the start of the season was given an ultimatum by the Filatov camp to be on the big club, Why did he not stand up then nip this charade in the bud?. Purely blackmail, Nicky plays and rides jets not buses or gets rubles instead of dollars. Not a fan of either, but sometimes even Don Cherry and Brian Burke are right.
Kudos to Hitch for understanding that winning is more important than babysitting.
Hitchcock should be fired for this, Filatov was doomed from the start when he was drafted.
How's the kid supposed to succeed when he's playing with Jared "doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground" Boll??
Meanwhile, Stamkos, Tavares, E. Kane, O'Reilly, Duchene, and van Reimsdyk continue to thrive because they have coaches that don't bench them at the first mistake they make. Players don't play well when they fear of making a mistake and being bench. Ask Brule.
Flyers fans warned us this would happen, we should've listened.
Is it just possible that Filatov just isn't ready for the NHL?
I wouldn't pay much attention to Flyers fans who warn anyone about anything. They also want to fire Paul Holmgren and John Stevens. Hell there's a guy whose hfboards nick is fire_stevens_dotcom. They are very much like Buckeye fans, or you for that matter Never happy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skraut
The team is winning without him, and it could be a chance for him to enjoy hockey and play again. Yes there's a chance he won't come back, that's the risk we took when drafting him.
Would I rather have him here, yes, but this may be the thing which helps his development more.
Yes, they are winning without him, but this team is no threat to win a Stanley Cup. Are the Jackets in a win now,sell out for a Cup mode or a building mode? If they are building, and I for one believe they are, then one thing they will definitely need to take the next step is more elite skill. Filatov has a chance to be a large part of the answer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CBJmeser61
How much impact are you expecting from a kid who is afraid that if he turns the puck over once or takes one penalty he is getting bench the rest of the game.
Playing a sport takes confidence in your ability and when your confidence is being destroyed by your coach your going to play like crap most of the time. He played a few good games and got zero reward for it and then he had a bad shift or two last game and they called up a player from the minor leagues to take his spot.
IMHO, that's a total cop out. If Filatov isn't ready, and I don't think he looks ready at all, then playing him on one of the top two lines probably hurts his confidence much more than playing down the lineup. He clearly is not playing well against mainly third pairing defensemen. How do you think he would perform against the Chris Prongers, Jan Hejdas and Nicklas Lidstroms of the NHL. Those men would probably knock him down more than a peg. To build his confidence, his competitiveness and strength, I think it's most effective if he was in Syracuse or perhaps the OHL. Perhaps the implied threats are true? Maybe he really needs to go down a level and he would have bolted for the KHL if he was sent down? Maybe the decision to loan him to a KHL team is a version of sending Nik to the "minors"?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScreamingWild
The good news is that Hitchcock won't be forced to find minutes to play him.
Puck-rakers says Howson and Hitch don't seem to agree with the handling of Filatov, so don't blame Howie for this.
Of course they disagreed. Hitch wants a team full of grinders who are big, slow, and can't skate. He thinks he's still in the old-NHL, clutch and grab hockey, win 1-0. Doesn't work that way anymore Hitch.
Meanwhile Howson realizes you actually need some goal scoring on the team, drafts Voracek (playmaker, I know) and Filatov while getting some offensive defensemen in later rounds, filling a huge need in the minors. Hitch wants defensive defensemen that can't skate and can muck it up for 60 minutes.
Them disagreeing on Filatov really shouldn't be a surprise.
All I have to say is GOOD FOR FILATOV. His dream has always been to play in the NHL so I believe he will return next season. He's too young to settle down in Russia just yet. He is at an age where he needs to be developed. He needs to be on the ice whether it be in Columbus, Syracuse or Russia. Sitting on the bench is just hurting his confidence while increasing tension between him, Hitch and Howson.
IMO, Hitch was on the path to ruining him and Nik did the right thing. He is getting nothing out of being in Columbus. It's painfully apparent that he isn't a part of Hitch's plan, so why should he sit around and wait? It's better that he be in Russia. He is only 19. He has plenty of time for an NHL career though I doubt it will be with Columbus.
Hitch isn't ruining him, he's playing the correct amount of minutes that he deserves.
Jackets have been handling this correctly because they probably know that Filatov would bolt for Russia for good if they tried to have him play in Syracuse all season (where he really belongs).
If Hitchcock were "in charge", Filatov would have never been drafted.
If Howson were "in charge", Filatov would be getting 15 minutes a night.
Your post makes it so clear.... I'll tell ya dude, GM's that lose first round draft picks because the head coach doesn't like them don't get jobs after getting fired. Someone must be the boss....
Never happy.
