Nikita Filatov heads back to Russia
This has been confirmed by Slava Malamud, a Russian journalist.
Can't say I blame Filatov nor is it a surprise given the last two weeks. He was given a total of four NHL games outside the fourth line.
Per Bob McKenzie, Filatov is being assigned to the KHL and thus Ottawa retains all NHL rights.
5 months ago
Adnan
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Hope he can get his career back on track.
How does the fact that the Sens assigned him impact his relationship with the team? Is it irrevocably damaged, or could it still be salvaged?
I don't see why Filatov would ever want to play for Paul MacLean
But if he decides to come back, I think he still owes Ottawa a year, so he has no choice.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
How would that be the case?
I see no reason why a relationship between Filatov and MacLean wouldn’t be in fine shape. A coach’s job isn’t to coddle players, it’s to win games; I’m sure Filatov realizes that.
The Senators have been fair with Filatov; certainly fairer than the Blue Jackets were. They gave him opportunities, and then sent him to Binghamton when he didn’t work out; after he suggested he’d like to go back to Russia, they gave him a couple more games in Ottawa to see if he had changed, concluded that he still wasn’t ready, and allowed him to return to the KHL.
In my opinion, the Senators should feel slighted more than Filatov should. He’s the one who’s failing to honour his contract.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
Completely disagree with this
They didn’t give him opportunities. After he performed well in Binghamton, they gave him two games. As I mentioned below, one of the two was his 4th game in 4 nights.
Bryan Murray has been supportive of him, but Paul MacLean seems to simply not like the kid.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
We've been over this
We disagree, I suppose. I still don’t see how you can argue he wasn’t given opportunities, but that’s fine.
The idea that Paul MacLean simply doesn’t like Filatov comes out of nowhere, and suggests some sort of personal grudge that I simply couldn’t understand. He may simply not like the way the kid plays, but that’s different—and, in my opinion, entirely justified, because MacLean is trying to instil a particular system into this team.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah and I can’t see how you can argue he was given an opportunity.
Bryan Murray has said positive things about him. MacLean said Filatov has been playing well, but not producing. He then went on to bench him for 5 games, despite the team losing 4 of them.
He puts Kaspars Daugavins on the 1st line even. He didn’t even give Filatov a chance in the shootout in one of his 6-minute a night/4th line recalls. So I’ve seen plenty of reasons for why MacLean simply doesn’t like him.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
Nope, none of the points you’ve cited are sufficient to demonstrate that MacLean “simply doesn’t like him.” There’s no reason to believe that MacLean has a personal conflict with Filatov, because he’d have nothing to gain by acting on that; he’s a rookie coach with a lot to prove, and if Filatov helped his team win, he’d be senseless not to use him. The points you made, however, may indicate that MacLean does not like the way Filatov is playing, but not much more than that.
And if what MacLean doesn’t like is the way Filatov is playing, then he’s done exactly what you want your coach to do: Insist that he fix his game before he’s given more ice time.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t think MacLean is going out of his way to hurt the team just to punish Filatov. But I think his belief that playing Filatov will not help his team more so than other players seems illogical to me.
As an extreme example, if he benched Jason Spezza and made Zenon Konopka because he thought Konopka would give him a better chance to win, then that indicates a bias, despite MacLean just wanting to win.
Of course I am not saying it is as extreme as that, but for whatever reason, MacLean doesn’t seem to want to give Filatov the same chance as he gives others.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
Get a room you guys
(also…in the most recent call-up Filatov busted his nose and played, what, 2:00 of the game? I still think he needed 10 games not 1.2)
"I couldn't score in a brothel...couldn't finish a sandwich"
- Joe Corvo
I agree...
In as much that two games simply is not enough of an opportunity to show what you can do. Granted, his performance in the games he played wasn’t spectacular, but my mentality with this situation is that when other players go on a pointless streak of two or three games, they generally aren’t scratched by the coach.
It seems to me that this is probably more of an attitude/work ethic issue. If he’s not willing to use his body to get into scoring areas, then I would prefer someone like Bobby Butler in the lineup if he understands that being a dynamic player (ie, at least a little bit of backchecking/driving to the net) is a key to getting points, and ultimately contributing an effort to winning games. Seems to me as if MacLean didn’t see that in Filatov.
Still though…I would have liked to have seen him get a few more games in. Our record obviously hasn’t been fantastic of late, but the question then becomes, who to take out of the lineup? At this point, I couldn’t point out one player in particular that should be sitting, and this is probably how MacLean ultimately viewed it as well.
I think Filatov is better defensively and certainly back checks a lot more than Butler.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I would have liked to have made more of a judgement on that from seeing him play more...
Which is why I’m disappointed to see him go. It usually takes time to adjust to the speed of the game after playing in the minors, and in my opinion the amount of games he got to play in probably wasn’t enough for him to adjust to that speed and mentality. I would have liked to have seen him play a few games in a row, rather than just isolated glimpses of him, to see if he could make that transition within a few more games.
But alas, I guess we’ll probably never get the chance!
Yep and especially considering they were in 2-3 game stints as B_T mentioned below.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
Don’t overlook the fact that Filatov got just as much chance as everyone else in practice. Not everything to do with playing time is down to what he did or did not do in game action.
From what MacLean has been saying, Filatov played well in the games, just didn’t produce. So to me it seems like the decision was based on that, rather than practise.
So the 2-3 game stints seem like a bigger barrier than practise.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
Well that just feels supremely disappointing.
I really still don’t understand how this all went so sideways. I wonder if we’ll hear more now that he’s leaving, although the fact that he remains under contract might quiet the talk.
It’s very difficult to square, from the outside, a system that otherwise seems to be doing a good job with a number of prospects and the opportunity Filatov was given (or not given, as it were). In other words, presumably (hopefully) there’s a good reason, but it sure looks crappy.
by sensory_experience on Dec 12, 2011 9:54 AM EST reply actions
I just wish that Bryan Murray & Paul MacLean were more open about this situation
Why hasn’t Filatov been given a chance?
What did he not do that others were doing that gave them a shot over him?
What did he do to get in the bad books?
What is the problem getting this kid to play?
Lets hear some answers from the team. I don’t understand the need for so much speculation regarding this situation.
Common sense is the most evenly distributed quality in all the world.
Everyone thinks they have enough.
It's possible they haven't wanted to throw him under the bus.
That would be the positive explanation for the secrecy to date. For example, if they do find his work ethic or practice habits questionable, which many have suggested (without much back-up), it’s actually good of them not to air that dirty laundry in public.
That’s why I wonder if it will finally come out now that he’s gone at least for a while.
by sensory_experience on Dec 12, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
That could be, but I think it is partly the media's fault as well.
I didn’t hear any follow up questions inquiring as to the reasoning when PM said he hadn’t considered putting Filatov in for last Thursday nights game. I really don’t get why.
Common sense is the most evenly distributed quality in all the world.
Everyone thinks they have enough.
I don't see any obscurity here
I’ll answer your questions in order, based on my opinions:
Why hasn’t Filatov been given a chance?
He has been given a chance. In fact, he was given a number of chances, and never managed to show that he offered anything more to the NHL squad than the other players fighting for roster spots.
What did he not do that others were doing that gave them a shot over him?
He wasn’t improving the Ottawa Senators’ chances of victory. That is the bottom line.
What did he do to get in the bad books?
He’s not in anyone’s bad books. He just isn’t at the point yet where he’s an everyday NHL player. No one has said anything bad about Filatov to date.
What is the problem getting this kid to play?
He is playing. In the KHL. The Senators want him to develop into an NHL player; the team’s preference would be for that to happen in the AHL, but he’s chosen to return to the KHL. The problem with getting this kid to play in the NHL is that he wasn’t good enough.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
I don't totally buy these lines...
… (see Adnan’s points below about the “chance” he got) …
… but you should be a GM/coach! (Or at least a media relations guy.)
by sensory_experience on Dec 12, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions
Agree to disagree on pretty much all of this
Based on what I’ve seen from this team and other fringe players on this team, Filatov has not been afforded the same opportunities that others have. ie. Zibanejad, DaCosta, Butler.
It would be difficult to argue that any one of Butler, Zibanejad or DaCosta has improved Ottawa’s chances at victory.
Based on my own opinion, it would seem that Filatov is in Paul MacLean’s bad books. I haven’t heard any other explanation as to why he hasn’t been given the same opportunities others were given. And for me that is really the bottom line.
As much as I appreciate your interpretation of the the situation, I’d just as soon hear from Paul MacLean & Bryan Murray. That is my real complaint. I don’t feel that management has been open with the fanbase. – They certainly don’t have to do so, nor are we owed that. But it doesn’t mean that i shouldn’t desire it.
Common sense is the most evenly distributed quality in all the world.
Everyone thinks they have enough.
Really?
Zibanejad is back in Sweden, Da Costa is in Binghamton, and Butler spent the entire first half of last season in Binghamton. All of these players are doing, or have had to do, their time in Ottawa’s developmental system before becoming full-time NHLers.
Perhaps we haven’t heard a full, blow-by-blow explanation of what was expected of Filatov and where he failed to meet those expectations, but that doesn’t mean the only logical conclusion to draw is that he’s in MacLean’s bad books. That may be one possible conclusion to draw, but it’s certainly not the only one, and—in my opinion—it’s not even the most likely.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
I'd have to agree with you
At some point, we have to accept that the team didn’t view Filatov as an NHL asset. Filatov is unwilling to play in the AHL, which is where the Senators would presumably like him to be to develop into an asset.
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by Mark Parisi on Dec 12, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with Peter and Mark on both their points….all the other players that have been referred to as getting more of an opportunity are either draft choices or have developed in Ottawa’s system and should be afforded the opportunity ahead of this player.
They would have scouted Filatov to a similar level before trading for him, it wasn't done on a whim
And it’s not like Da Costa was an unknown that Ottawa magically unearthed through the power of a superior scouting effort – there were quite a few NHL teams trying to sign him.
Unequal opportunities
Zibanejad got 9 straight games with an average 12:54 TOI to show if he had enough to stay in the NHL this season.
Da Costa had 22 straight games with an average 12:10 TOI before going to Bingo.
Butler you’ve got a bit more of a case with given he was scratched for games 2 and 3 before being sidelined with a groin injury after game 4 – but he’s got 21 games on the season, with an average TOI of 11:30. He’s also not entirely comparable due to his time in Bingo last season.
Filatov got 9 disjointed games, and an average TOI of 9:49 (though not counting the WPG game it was 10:36). He played games 1 & 2, then 12, then 14 & 15, then 23 (to cap off a brutal 4 day stretch for him), 24 (skate to the face) and 25.
I’d hardly say Filatov was given a similar opportunity this season to what the others got. The rest have all been given a stretch of games to find their grooves.
You can argue the others made more of their opportunities this season, but that’s purely subjective as the numbers don’t bear that out (only Butler had more than 1 point in his first 9 games this season, and only Filatov was a positive +/- in his 9 for what little that’s worth).
I agree that the only logical conclusion isn’t that MacLean just doesn’t like him. I think it’s obvious that “the organization” sees something they don’t like though. We just don’t know what that is (play style doesn’t fit? development level not high enough? personality clash? general attitude? XYZ?), and don’t know who in the organization considered it a problem (though MacLean is the likely suspect). Given how little info has come out on it, I don’t know that we’ll ever know.
Don't get me wrong - I think Filatov WAS given a chance
Just not as good of a chance as others, and not as good of a chance overall as I feel he deserved.
All the comparisons are players that Ottawa has drafted and made long term commitments to….think long term, it’s the way it works.
Long term? Not really.
None of those players — except perhaps Zibanejad based on promise — are “long term” commitments. Certainly not Butler or Da Costa who have pretty short-term contracts and could easily be cut loose.
by sensory_experience on Dec 12, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
Only 1 of them was drafted
Zibanejad, in the same position (6th overall) as Filatov.
Da Costa and Butler were both signed as undrafted free agents. Technically speaking, they paid a higher price for Filatov than for either of those guys.
And sensory_experience is right – none of them are long term commitments. Da Costa is RFA this year. Butler has 1 more year before going RFA again. Zibanejad is the closest to long term among them, and that’s still just a 3 year contract (did not burn a year this season).
I’d argue you’ve got to make a push for the players that are in their last year of contract to see if you’re going to keep them – especially if you’ve only got them for that last year of the contract.
The only saving grace from a contract perspective is that with only 9 games, they didn’t burn the last year of Filatov’s contract and do still have another year to make that decision with him – which in hind sight is probably why he sat for the last 5 games.
That rule doesn't apply to Filatov
His contract is up at the end of the season, he will be a restricted free agent, and the Senators will tender him a qualifying offer which he can sign or refuse; it doesn’t really matter, because his rights will remain property of the Senators.
As for the drafted/not drafted difference, I’m not sure why it was brought up because I don’t see it’s relevant. But if Filatov wanted a chance to play NHL games, he needed to stay in North America; the Senators can recall someone from the AHL, but they can’t exactly pull him back from the KHL.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, you're right. Filatov has played enough NHL games overall that his contract won't slide anymore
I agree that drafted/un-drafted isn’t relevant. Drafted, traded for, signed as un-drafted… none automatically deserve more opportunity.
But the problem with this complaint is that the Ottawa Senators are not an Equal Opportunity Employer
Sports, by their very nature, are a meritocracy. That’s why Brian Lee doesn’t get the same ice time as Erik Karlsson.
Whether or not Filatov got a statistically similar opportunity to other players isn’t as important as the fact that he did get an opportunity. At the end of the day, he’s the one who didn’t give the organization a reason to play him more—and it’s clear MacLean and Murray are willing to do that with players who earn it. Kaspars Daugavins has already proven that.
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by Mark Parisi on Dec 12, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
So what merited Da Costa playing 22 games straight with the big team to start the season, and Filatov only 2?
Or Zibanejad 9 games off the start?
I get that merit gets you more ice time, but I still feel that the level of opportunity each of these players earned was far closer than the level of opportunity they each actually received.
What difference does it make when the games are played?
Maybe had Filatov stayed in North America, he would have been given 22 straight games to prove what he can do. Whether they’re to start the season or to end it is irrelevant—it’s still an opportunity. An opportunity which isn’t there today, because Filatov chose instead to play in the KHL.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
The specific "when" of the games doesn't matter, you're right
I mentioned the start of the season specifically because all 3 of Filatov, Zibanejad and Da Costa played the first 2 games. They each had 1 point after those 2 games. Subjectively, I seem to remember Da Costa had the better performance across the 2 games out of them, followed by Zibanejad and then Filatov – but I don’t think there was enough of a difference for Filatov to sit out the next 9, when both of the other 2 were showing they weren’t quite ready for the NHL either.
I do think that there is definitely something to be said of having concurrent games with a consistency in line mates. I did make an error in my other post – he also played game 13, so he did have 4 games in a row, but averaged under 7 minutes of TOI for those 4 games. Despite that, I do think that Filatov was definitely given the short end on this aspect, and for no good reason that I can see.
I agree that going to the KHL was not a good move in regards to his future NHL opportunities. But it’d be better than sitting in the press box.
I have no idea
You’d have to ask MacLean, though I’d bet that their preseason performance was the difference in merit.
I get what you’re saying, but without knowing more, I don’t think it’s reasonable for us to speculate. All I can do is point to Daugavins and the third line’s PP time and say MacLean clearly has no problem rewarding and playing the guys who make the most of their opportunities. I wish I knew what he was seeing in Filatov that he didn’t like; I personally thought the guy did everything asked of him.
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by Mark Parisi on Dec 12, 2011 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
Was their pre-season performance that drastically different though?
I do seem to recall that they both had better pre-seasons than Filatov, but I didn’t think it was that drastic.
I definitely think there was a reason here that we don’t know. At this point, I don’t think we’ll ever know either.
I didn't feel they were drastically different
I agree that we don’t know everything, but I don’t think that necessarily means there’s some big thing we don’t know. It could just have been that Butler looked a lot better in practice.
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Considering how awful some others have been this year
Butler for starters. It just doesn’t make that much sense.
Exactly.
Outside of Spezza, Michalek, and Alfie, everyone else in the top-6 is not really a guaranteed top-6 player but has received an extended audition.
Foligno is a vet, so you can understand he was given time to work things out (and, happily, they seem to be working out.)
Greening started strong, so it’s not surprising he hung around.
But Zibanejad got a long look despite not showing any more production than Filatov, while Butler and Da Costa have both gotten looks that, frankly, extended well past their merit, at least to the outside observer. (Again, impossible to know the practice/work ethic/etc. dimension.)
by sensory_experience on Dec 12, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
This isn't a surprise to me
To be honest, I’m happy about it. He didn’t fit on the Ottawa roster, and—although I’d rather he stay in Binghamton and develop under the guidance of Kurt Kleinendorst—at least he’ll continue developing in the KHL. The fact that Ottawa retains his NHL rights means that if he ever hopes to return to play pro in North America, it will have to be for the Senators (unless Ottawa trades his rights).
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 10:02 AM EST reply actions
Why do you think he didn't fit?
Just curious what you mean, Peter.
by sensory_experience on Dec 12, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
He didn't look like an NHL point producer
This is my opinion, and I realize there are plenty of people who don’t think he was given a fair shake around here, but I don’t agree with that take. I think he had a good shot, and simply didn’t demonstrate enough—particularly away from the puck, in order to generate scoring chances—to warrant a spot on the top two lines. And I don’t think anyone would argue he’d make an effective bottom-six player.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
I don't know that anybody would give us anything for his rights
I mean, he was already considered a salvage operation when Ottawa got him. I have a hard time seeing anyone else lining up to take a shot.
Not right now, no
But let’s suppose he continues his development in the KHL, and turns into an elite player over there; if his relationship is soured with Ottawa and he refuses to return to the Sens (which, considering how fair Senators management has been in giving him one more chance before allowing him to go to the KHL, seems unlikely), then another team may be interested in giving up an asset in exchange for his rights.
I agree it seems unlikely right now, but stranger things have happened.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
This could well be for the best
But what a confusing situation. I don’t want to take anything away from an organization that has seemingly made all the right moves since trading Fisher but…this is so very strange, seeing Butler and Da Costa get so much rope and Fila get so little.
Anyway, since we retain his rights perhaps they just want him to develop where he’s comfortable? Kid is only 21. A year or more in the K could put him over the top, development-wise.
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by Johnny_Spectacular on Dec 12, 2011 10:02 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Such a confusing situation
I find how they’ve handled him to be very hard to figure out. He gets called up, gets one game (essentially, thanks to an early skate to the face), then scratched for 5 games? You can’t really make the argument that the lines we had were on a roll for those 5 games so best to not mess with them, either.
It might be like sensory_experience speculated – that they didn’t want to throw him under the bus – but with the lack of information out of management it definitely feels like Filatov got screwed.
Yeah he got shafted
I might not know everything, but I can only judge it on what I know.
Although for the record, he got 1 game, then 2nd game he got hurt, and he got 1 more. So two full games on recall.
Of the two games, the first one was his 4th game in 4 nights.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I was hoping
He would have emerged as a diamond in the rough. I wonder if any teams would be interested in acquiring his rights. Maybe we could package him with some other prospects and draft picks and snag a solid performer. We could definitely use a little more stability on offence.
I don't think any NHL team would touch him right now
If he lights it up in the KHL – maybe. But right now? Not a chance.
Huh. Not surprised, but not happy either.
It was a gamble, and one that didn’t pan out (yet). Good luck to Filatov – he’s not leaving under bad circumstances which leaves the door open for him.
Unfortunate...
Too bad he wasn’t given more of a shot. – but not being on the inside, in practices, etc, I think maybe there’s something going on that the fans didn’t see.
I think the fact that people keep thinking that there must be something on the inside/unseen, just shows how illogical it seems that he wasn’t given more of a shot.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
That's pretty tenuous, given the success rate of mob mentality in general
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by Mark Parisi on Dec 12, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
There has to have been more we didn't see
But that could be anything between “MacLean just didn’t like him” to “Less work ethic than Ray Emery (circa 07-08) and Dany Heatley combined”
This seems like a financial decision on Filatov's part
I have always thought that Filatov’s main objection to playing in Binghamton is that under his two-way contract he gets paid way less. Why go to the AHL and earn less than 100K when he can go to Russia and make something comparable to his NHL salary?
As far as breaking into the Senators line-up, he just needs to work hard and have patience. Brian Lee is the classic example of this. If you keep plugging away then sooner or later you are going to get your chance.
I'd certainly say so
And I don’t blame him for making this decision at all. Financially, the KHL and AHL are like night and day: He only makes $65k in the AHL, and I’m sure there are people commenting here who make more than that. Plus there’s the lifestyle factor… I would expect a Russian-born player to have a hell of a lot more fun in Moscow than he would in Binghamton.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Are you kidding me? He will likely make 10 times that amount in the KHL. Would you leave your job for another if your salary would be multiplied by 10? I think 9 out of 10 people would.
Have fun with the conditions in Russia and wondering if you are going to get a paycheque from week to week…overall it’s not good over there, no player unions to look out for you. Good riddance though…
Have you ever been to Russia? I haven’t, so I am not planning on making any wild assumptions about the place.
I am giving you facts based on first hand knowledge…believe them or not that is your decision. All I know is the conditions are not good overall…..
To me Russia seems like a mixed bag. Some guys like Jagr seem to have enjoyed their time there and others not so much.
Hence the reason why I used the word “overall”, not knowing what Jagr has said about his experience in his time over there privately or publicly.
You are also right in likely referring to it as a “mixed bag” as opposed to playing in NA where it isn’t “russian roulette” depending on the team you play for.
Well, if Filatov is looking at a 100% chance of getting paid 65K in Bingo or a 75% chance of getting paid 500K in Russia, maybe he likes his odds over there.
Choosing $600k now over $65k in the short term is
awfully short sighted of him but more importantly, it shows that he doesn’t think too much about his own hockey abilities. If he believes he can excel in the NHL, he stands to make way more than $600k. To accept $600k is him admitting that he is an AHL player who can make $600k instead of $65K.
by whatsinaname on Dec 13, 2011 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
Well, look... simply claiming "firsthand knowledge" is not evidence of firsthand knowledge
If you’re unable or unwilling to cite your sources, don’t be upset when your credibility is questioned.
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by Mark Parisi on Dec 12, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not upset…I was throwing out personal first hand knowledge of the situation over there, and I was trying to put a 10X an AHL salary in context, it isn’t quite as simple as saying it is comparing apples to apples regarding conditions in Russia compared to NA.
I think a Russian guy is likely going to enjoy Moscow more than a small city in New York state.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I hope you're not offended by me saying so, but...
An anonymous commenter on the Internet citing personal first hand knowledge is not going to convince many people. At least not many people around here.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
I meant it more as “only 65k” makes it sound like 65k is peanuts. But I’d be thrilled to get 65k.
Not compared to other athletes, just compared to us non-athletic people.
Well...
I am disappointed because I think Nikita is a great person and a great player, but his time isn’t now, at least with the Sens and the NHL. Hopefully he will come back in a year or two and do well for himself.
Do I think he got a fair shake? Maybe, but like the rest of us on here, we can only speculate on what we’ve read/seen on the news and from interviews/etc. Did Maclean dislike him? Probably not. Did he fit into Maclean’s system/plan? Didn’t seem like it either.
I’ve met the guy, had a few drinks with him, talked hockey, etc. and as much as I want to agree with a few people on here by saying he didn’t get enough rope to play with, let me just say that Butler earned his rope with his play last year and Zibanejad seemed like a borderline decision, which is why he got so much playing time.
Nikita should’ve stuck it out but he’s doing what’s best for him in his mind, he’ll be back, of that I’m sure.
I do hope that he comes back
At 21, his career is far from over. I’d prefer that he developed in Ottawa’s system, but I don’t blame him for wanting to play where he’s comfortable (and well-paid.)
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by Mark Parisi on Dec 12, 2011 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
I've kind of wondered...
If off-ice attitude is part of the issue. From what I’ve seen, he would go out clubbing (various twitter feeds with pictures/locations seem to confirm this) immediately after returning to Ottawa, and perhaps this was perceived by the coaching staff to be an issue of him seemingly placing greater emphasis on his social life than on his hockey career.
I don’t want to speculate on that, and I don’t want to call his character into question, but a coach of a professional sports team would likely hope to see dedication to wanting to improve from his prospects, and wanting to cut loose at the bars immediately after being recalled may not have helped the staff’s opinion of him.
As a young man myself, I can’t fault him for wanting to go out and socialize (nor do I know for a fact that this was the issue), but if I got a chance to fulfill every young hockey player’s dream by playing in the NHL, you can bet I’d be placing working hard over playing hard, every single time. Perhaps he just didn’t have as strong a desire to do this, but alas…I’m simply speculating :)
I don't see that as an issue
I’d wager the majority of prospects in their early 20s spend a lot of time in clubs. I doubt it would be an issue with Filatov.
The issue, to me, was likely entirely driven by his on-ice performance, and his off-ice preparation (in terms of conditioning).
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
You're probably right
I see it as potentially another mitigating factor in his off-ice preparation, but I’m in no position to make that claim. I just hope that the team will elaborate a little bit more on what they hope to see from him (if anything) moving forward. The team has made efforts to connect the fans to the team and prospects a little bit more through SensTV videos and press releases, so I hope Gord Wilson will get to the bottom of this for us in the coming few days!
Bottom line holding a gun to a teams head never works...
As soon as Filatov let it leak that he would go back to Russia if he was not going to play in the NHL it sealed his fate…if this were Brian Burke he would “have driven him to the airport”, the fact that Murray gave him one last chance after this threat and top 6 mins to boot…was way above and beyond what should be expected.
The coach of CSKA
is Július Šupler, I am Slovak and know him very well, because he was our repre coach and Trenčín coach. He is a great coach for development. He knows to work with young players, knows what they need IMO it is very good for Nikita. Really. Róbert Švehla and Zdeno Cíger came from Martin to Trenčín… he helped them to grow up, similar Žigmund Pálffy, when he came from Skalica or Pavol Demitra when he came from Dubnica.
That's good to hear
Thanks for sharing that info!
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I will follow him
see all his games and than I will write you about it here :)
We'd really appreciate that
Thanks!
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by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 12, 2011 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
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