The Russians have taken over the NHL.
And it isn't about to stop anytime soon.
Most recently, it started when Alexander Ovechkin was taken first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
He immediately tore up the league, winning the Calder Trophy, and being the top candidate this year for the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
Next, Evgeni Malkin was taken second overall behind Ovechkin in the 2004 Draft, and he has not failed to disappoint either. He won the Calder Trophy last year, and is the second highest candidate for the the Hart Trophy this year.
In the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, there was a hot prospect, Alexei Cherepanov. He was apparently the next big thing in Russia, but every NHL team was scared to take him for two reasons.
The first and obvious reason was the transfer agreement between Russia and the NHL, and the possibility of Cherepanov not being able to get out of Russia.
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The second, and less obvious reason was that he was inconsistent. Sure, he was amazing, but he didn't always show up to play. He fell to number 17, where the New York Rangers took him.
This year, there is an even more unbelievable prospect coming out of Russia. His name is Nikita Filatov. He never takes a night off, and is better than Cherepanov, and possibly better than Malkin and Ovechkin. He was born May 25, 1990 in Moscow, Russia. He is 6'0", 165 pounds, and a right-handed shot, which is not always good for a left winger, but it is great in this case.
Filatov, ranked number two by the International Scouting Service, played in the WU18 league for Russia in 2006-2007, scoring four goals and five assists in seven games for nine points.
This year, however, he played in the Rus. 2 league for the Central Army, scoring 24 goals and 23 assists for 47 points in 23 games. In the World Junior Championships, he scored four goals and five assists for nine points in seven games.
Scouts have said that he is better than Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Others have said he is close to their level, but not better. Either way, though, no one will disagree with the statement that he is one of the best players in the world not playing in the NHL, if not the best played outside of the NHL.
Whoever chooses Filatov come June, if they can get him out of Russia, will be blessed with a superstar for the next 20-or-so years. He is going to be a star in this league when he comes over, and the NHL is already licking their chops to see another scorer join Ovie and the gang.
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7 months ago
yeah, i heard about this guy...i hope the russians let him out, hes gonna do wonders for our league
7 months ago
Sadly, this could potentially stop. A Russian billionaire is trying hard to start up his own league and keep russian players in the country. Could also potentially lure away big stars from the NHL. At least that's his idea.
7 months ago
Good article, very well researched, I cant see him being better then Ovechkin or Malkin though, I have seen him play and he doesnt look like quite that caliber, we also would be hearing a lot more about him if he was.
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