Silver Nuggets: Filatov demoted to Russian junior league

Nikita Filatov has fallen quite a bit in four months. After having started the season in Ottawa on Jason Spezza's line, he was benched and then sent to the AHL. After a few weeks of performing well in the AHL, he was called up to Ottawa again, and played sparingly for the most part. At this point he went back to Russia to play in the KHL.

It was meant to be a chance for Filatov to thrive in a familiar environment and make a push for next season. However, initially he had difficulties signing a contract and now he has been sent to the MHL (Russian league for players 17-21) after tallying only four points in 12 KHL games.

Whether that decision is financial or not, the fact he has only four points in 12 is worrying. The KHL is a step up from the AHL but is certainly below the NHL level. Having been one of those people who thought Filatov didn't get a fair shot from Paul MacLean, Filatov is not making it easy to defend him. If he can't even stick around at the top level in Russia, what hope does he have to make it in the NHL?

Tonight's game

• Everyone but one predicts a loss in Boston tonight. Peter said 3-0 for Boston. (Senators Extra)
• Nick Foligno got bumped up to the second line, Bobby Butler up to the third line and Chris Neil was sent to the fourth line. 1) Greening-Spezza-Michalek, 2) Foligno-Turris-Alfredsson, 3) Condra-Smith-Butler, 4) Daugavins-Konopka-Neil. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
• Brian Lee will be a scratch tonight but he is close to returning from injury. (Ian Mendes)