Nikita Filatov
Jun 16, 2008 21:02:30 GMT -5
Post by V-HAB on Jun 16, 2008 21:02:30 GMT -5
We have seen Russian players stigmatized at the draft –- top five talent Alexei Cherepanov went 20th overall to the New York Rangers last year -– in large part because of the lack of an agreement between the NHL and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation and much uncertainty surrounding the circumstances of them coming to the NHL.
Will the same happen to Filatov, who is the clear-cut consensus next-best forward after Stamkos?
Filatov has certainly done a lot to minimize the chance of him sliding very far.
He speaks fluent English. He is perceived as a hard worker and good teammate, a prototypical team player with character and leadership skills. His parents are worldly in the sense they received education outside of Russia and have been emphatic about their desire, along with Filatov himself, to play in the NHL and make the move to North America for next season.
Based on all of that, if Filatov does slide it's likely to be a hockey decision more than a "Russian" issue.
Will the same happen to Filatov, who is the clear-cut consensus next-best forward after Stamkos?
Filatov has certainly done a lot to minimize the chance of him sliding very far.
He speaks fluent English. He is perceived as a hard worker and good teammate, a prototypical team player with character and leadership skills. His parents are worldly in the sense they received education outside of Russia and have been emphatic about their desire, along with Filatov himself, to play in the NHL and make the move to North America for next season.
Based on all of that, if Filatov does slide it's likely to be a hockey decision more than a "Russian" issue.
Source: www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240884&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl
Do you think there's a good chance Filatov will be drafted second after Stamkos?
