As much as it would be nice to see some more true offensive depth in the organization, I am leery of a prospect like Filatov. I understand the temptations of playing in the KHL, especially for Russians, but this organization has had enough problems with skilled Russian forward prospects in recent times. I am not a Russian hater, but when you look at how Filatov went to the KHL citing similar reasons as You Know Who, it gives me an uneasy feeling about acquiring him.

That being said, trading Lee is something I think the organization needs to do at some point. While I would love for them to wait until the off-season or next season (to give time for some of the younger prospects to develop), the best value for value trade for him may be this speculated one.

A Lee-Filatov straight up trade would be an absolute fleecing of the Blue Jackets by the Senators, but the proposed trade favours CBJ more than the Senators. With Filatov’s self-imposed exile to the KHL, his value should be lesser than it was before the season, whereas Lee has improved this season (disappointed in his demotion) increasing his trade value.

Filatov is another in a long line of Russians loaded with talent who is not nearly ready to play in the NHL and he won’t learn the North American style… i.e. that you play defence as well as try to fill the opposition’s net. He did not tear up the AHL last year, and he doesn’t listen to coaching. Clouston doesn’t stand for forwards who skate only one way. Mirnov, Zubov, Kaigorodov, Nikulin … have they learned their lesson yet??? And on top of it all the Russians are willing to shell out big bucks for these players… so no thanks we pass on Filatov.

I say we corner the market on Alexandre Picards. We can call the new one Not R Picard (ours is Alexandre R Picard).

Works perfectly with Not Martin.

Considering Ottawa’s dire need for forward depth and Filatov’s upside, I think this is a trade the team has to make. My preference remains for Peter Mueller, but as far as I know, that is a scenario that only exists in my head. There can’t be any doubt that Filatov is a high-risk prospect and our team has a long list of failed Russians, but is this team really in a position not to gamble? Filatov would immediately become our best prospect (as Darren points out, since Spezza) and that is something that can’t be overlooked.

Ottawa is simply not going to be in a position to draft immediate offensive help barring an epic collapse. Taylor Hall would be a coup, but he is going to be a Hurricane or Bruin. The team is probably going to be drafting somewhere in the middle, and even a player like John McFarland, who strikes me as the forward Murray would want most, is not going to be available there.

The bottom line for me here: If we can’t trade for someone better (doesn’t seem likely) and we can’t draft someone better (highly unlikely), then we should make the trade. Lee is not in the team’s plans, and none of the forwards we might have to give up would be a huge blow — though I would also prefer to keep Winchester.

I read this article on Yahoo about Filatov and it did change my mind on the kid. He does seem to have a decent head on his shoulders. From that article he does seem like he really wants to succeed in the NHL and that his issue was mainly he didn’t see eye to eye with Hitchcock more then anything.

If he would come to Ottawa with a fresh slate, have Russian guys like A-Train and Kovalev as support and be able to fit in with Ottawa’s system that would be awesome. If Murray could pull off a deal to buy low on him do it. It’s worth the risk if you can get rid of some spare parts too.