Nikita Filatov of the Columbus Blue Jackets: Where Is He?

Nikita Filatov was the highest ranked European player in 2008 and was drafted sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Since then, he has only played in 21 NHL games.

In two U-18 World Championships, he has a gold and silver medal, and in three World Junior Championships, he has two bronze medals along with being named to two tournament All-Star teams.

He was also the captain of the 2009 WJC Russian team.

Last season he and then head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ken Hitchcock, didn't see eye-to-eye to say the least, and Columbus allowed him to go back to Russia and finish off the season with CSKA Moscow of the KHL.

He received KHL Player of the Week award the week of November 22nd and KHL best Newcomer of the Month award for November.

Niki, or Fili as he is refereed to by friends and teammates as he told me in an interview in 2008 while playing at Syracuse, registered nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in his 26 games while playing in the KHL. Not the best numbers but still impressive for a youngster.

We all know the kid has talent and just has to find his niche within the Columbus organization which isn't by any means stacked up front.

Rick Nash is a superstar as he proves that yearly, wowing with incredible hands and finish. Kristian Huselius, Antoine Vermette, Samuel Pahlsson, R.J.Umberger, and Ethan Moreau are all established NHL players while Jakub Vorecek is a rising star.

These players certainly form a strong supporting cast that could be helpful to young Filatov, and the only thing stopping Niki from making the team in my mind is himself.

One knock on Filatov has been his defensive zone coverage, but hopefully as he matures, this issue will be addressed.

It's a new deal in Columbus with head coach Scott Arniel who said of Filatov, "Nikita has to come back and earn a spot on our hockey team."

(Quote from NHL.com Columbus Blue Jackets/Nikita Filatov News)

This statement makes me believe that Filatov will be in camp come next week, and I really have no reason to believe that he won't make the roster.

Columbus fans should be excited about getting this guy back on the ice at the Nationwide Arena.

Check my Bleacher Report profile pic of Nikita and myself in the hallway outside the Syracuse Crunch dressing room at Richo Collisieum, Toronto, Ontario.

Some highlights of Filatov, hopefully there will be more in a Columbus uniform after this season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W9KqlDONLw

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