Good interview for the most part but this question shows some ignorance on the interviewers part:
"How do you work within Ken Hitchcock's system? Is it hard for a creative offensive player like you to play that style? Other offensive Russian players like Fedorov and Zherdev had some problems there."
Zherdev's 26 goals and 61 points was problematic? I wish more players would have that kind of trouble playing for Hitch. Fedorov? Come on. He scored a whopping 6 goals in 34 games after he went to the run and gun offense that is Washington last year. The guy has been washed up since he left Detroit.
Nikita told it like it is and didn't use the 'system' as any type of excuse. He has scored 4 goals in 6 games in that 'defensive system'.
The thing that Filatov will end up being is a heck of a good two way player in that system. His attitude is great and loves the game and it sounds like, based on his response, he gets it.
People need to start looking at the facts and stop spewing out that nonsense.
Never! In all honesty though I don't see Filatov remaining with the big club when the injured return, if they all do return at the same time. I just don't see Hitch making room for him. When the injured return I fully expect something like this (baring no trades):
Nash Malholtra Huselieus
Chimera Umberger Voracek
Modin Peca Torres
Murray Macdonald/Novotny Boll
I don't see Hitch sitting Murray or Boll. Without trading any of our top 9 I just don't see the room for Filatov on the team and I hate that thought, but that's just how it will probably be.
Never! In all honesty though I don't see Filatov remaining with the big club when the injured return, if they all do return at the same time. I just don't see Hitch making room for him. When the injured return I fully expect something like this (baring no trades):
Nash Malholtra Huselieus
Chimera Umberger Voracek
Modin Peca Torres
Murray Macdonald/Novotny Boll
I don't see Hitch sitting Murray or Boll. Without trading any of our top 9 I just don't see the room for Filatov on the team and I hate that thought, but that's just how it will probably be.
Ahh, I totally forgot about Dorsett. This team is going to have a log jam without making a trade at forward for a d-man. Things certainly will get interesting as the season goes. Eyes will be on Murray, Boll, Modin, Torres, Novotny to see where these spaces are going to open up for trades or Filatov if he continues to succeed. I like a Wing duo of Murray and Boll on the fourth but then that leaves out Dorsett because a healthy Torres would be the third line right winger. It's going to be interesting for sure and I don't know if Hitch would like to send down our "glue" in Dorsett.
Ahh, I totally forgot about Dorsett. This team is going to have a log jam without making a trade at forward for a d-man. Things certainly will get interesting as the season goes. Eyes will be on Murray, Boll, Modin, Torres, Novotny to see where these spaces are going to open up for trades or Filatov if he continues to succeed. I like a Wing duo of Murray and Boll on the fourth but then that leaves out Dorsett because a healthy Torres would be the third line right winger. It's going to be interesting for sure and I don't know if Hitch would like to send down our "glue" in Dorsett.
IMO, we still need some legit NHL depth at the forward position. As much as I love guys like Boll, Dorsett and Voracek, they are going to run out of gas. The latter two have been in Columbus training all summer long and this NHL thing is pretty tough. Sure it has been 42 games, but they have been in Columbus since May (or June) working their butts off and dealing with a gamete of emotions: making the team, staying in the lineup, contributing at the NHL level, the travel, etc, etc. They are likely feeling like they have played 142 games.
It is also why I wish Mason (and Nash for that matter) weren't going to the ASG. We are going to need to muster every ounce of energy for the stretch run. It only gets harder in the 2nd half. The way we have been having to max out every night is, and will, take it's toll. We need reinforcements. YOu can't continue to replace NHL players with AHL players and expect them to carry the work load for any length of time. We all fee good right now because of the road trip and the last two games, but the reality is we still need help.
Also, we were down a center BEFORE Brassard's injury, and now with he and Novotny out, we are down three. An upgrade at our center position wouldn't be hard. Manny is playing well, but he is a 3/4th liner as are Peca and Novotny. Even a moderately skilled player would be an upgrade.
