Filatov: I want to come back to the NHL

While he's playing coy with American media (the Dispatch guys have repeatedly tried, but he won't go on the record with them), Columbus Blue Jackets' winger-on-loan Nikita Filatov appears to be OK with talking to Russian sportswriters. And what he told the folks at SovSport should offer some encouragement to the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fans. Specifically, he said (and I'm using a Google translation from a Russian-language site):

[You] Shone in the national team again will storm the NHL?


Yes, it is firmly decided. Of course, the salaries in the KHL longer, but the level above the ocean. I'll break through there. In the meantime, try to break into the world championship!

An awkward translation, to be sure. Let's see how Russian Hockey Fans translated it:

I am determined to return to the NHL next year. Surely the salaries are better in the KHL, but overseas the level of play is higher. I'll try to make the first team in the NHL. And I'll try getting on the roster for the World Championships too.

Regardless, it looks like Filatov is going to make another run at the National Hockey League.  As the Columbus Blue Jackets hold Filatov's rights for the foreseeable future, that means that CBJ General Manager Scott Howson apparently has another talented body in camp.  Considering that Filatov's trade value is probably at its lowest due to the perception of him as a flight risk (back to Russia) and hard-to-coach (his experience with Ken Hitchcock combined with his being stripped of the Team Russia captaincy at the Junior World Hockey Championships in Saskatoon this past winter), this is a welcome surprise for Howson and the Jackets.

Over the weekend, I participated in a forthcoming podcast for The Hockey Writers and pontificated that Filatov's behavior since leaving the Blue Jackets led me to believe that he was enjoying life in the (Russian) Kontinental Hockey League enough to think that he might be willing to forego NHL glory for home cooking, income tax-free KHL salaries and being a rather big fish in a comparatively little pond.  Apparently that's not the case.  Shows what I know about the post-pubescent Russian male mind!

Filatov has mentioned in the past that he is driven to emulate his hero, Ilya Kovalchuk, and be a star in the NHL.  If we wants to come back after a season in the life of a sports celebrity in Moscow, I guess he means it.  Go figure.

After the fold, the entire Google translation of the SovSport article...some of which makes sense. If you know Russian and want to try your own translation, go here.

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Nikita Filatov: Salaries are higher in the CHL, and the level - in the NHL

Debutant Team Russia spoke about the atmosphere in the team and his future plans. Now Novogorske trains just eight newcomers team Russia . With one of them - forward armyNikita Filatov - talked to the correspondent of "Soviet Sport" Dmitry Ponomarenko.

- I like it here! - Once said Nikita, jumping out of the locker right in the skate. - Many guys I know from the youth team. Coaches - for CSKA . Very fun first lesson takes place.

- Shone in the national team again will storm the NHL ?

- Yes, it is firmly decided. Of course, the salaries in the KHL longer, but the level above the ocean. I'll break through there. In the meantime, try to break into the world championship!

- Now to the young players of great attention. Invite a team to control the match - perhaps your first step to the Olympic Games in Sochi ...

- About the same time, many say ... I'll try! Olympics - another of my dream.

- And if the club hockey in Sochi will not release?

- Do not believe in it. Talk! At the Winter Games want to play the best hockey players in the world. No they do not delay.