Potential pick: Nikita Filatov

[Papaduke]

Chances are, Nikita Filatov will be long gone at #13 but last year the top Russian prospect Alexei Cherepanov fell from top 5 to 17th. The lack of a transfer agreement may benefit the Sabres here.

From: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=365390


There’s no question fans have warmed to the young Russian contingent that has taken the NHL by storm in recent years.

The Washington Capitals used the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft on Moscow’s dynamic Alex Ovechkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins followed with Magnitogorsk’s Evgeni Malkin. In 2001, the Atlanta Thrashers tabbed Tver’s Ilya Kovalchuk with the first overall choice. Each has provided fans great entertainment value while living up to those lofty expectations, with Ovechkin and Malkin each earning the Calder Trophy as top rookie in 2006 and `07, respectively, and each is a finalist for this year’s Hart Trophy. Kovalchuk was a Calder runner-up in 2002, won the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2004 and finished second to Ovechkin this past season.

The million-dollar question now, however, is who will become the next Russian sensation to dazzle the hockey world. More (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=365390)

[Buffalo87]

Chances are, Nikita Filatov will be long gone at #13 but last year the top Russian prospect Alexei Cherepanov fell from top 5 to 17th. The lack of a transfer agreement may benefit the Sabres here.

From: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=365390

The difference is that last year, it wasn't just the transfer agreement issues for Cherepanov. There were also questions about his attitude and his work ethic, two areas that are strong points for Filatov. Filatov appears to have a very good head on his shoulders, is apparently already fluent in English, and has stated that he wants to get to NA ASAP. Due to those reasons the only issue is really the transfer agreement, I can't see him falling past 7 or 8.

[The Grin]

XM was discussing him this week. The transfer agreement isn't a problem in Filatov's case because he will be a true free agent. His mother (acting as his agent) refused to be forced into signing any of the long term deals other Russian players did. Someone on XM said that if Filatov was from Canada, there is no way he would make it past #2 or 3.

[shotgun]

we don;t need anymore goal scores, we need guys to kick some ass and take a hit and get there finger nails dirty ,

[billsfan69]

we don;t need anymore goal scores, we need guys to kick some ass and take a hit and get there finger nails dirty ,


true we need that, but you usually don't draft ass kickers in the first round.

[Buffalo87]

true we need that, but you usually don't draft ass kickers in the first round.

Andrew Peters was a 2nd round pick. ;)

[billsfan69]

Andrew Peters was a 2nd round pick. ;)

Thanks for reminding me that we traded Pat LaFontaine for the pick we used on Andrew Peters.

[SabresFan220]

Filatov wouldn't be a Sabre right away anyway, he'd be in the AHL if even in North America. I think if the Sabres got him with #13 or traded up to snag him we'd sign him while he's open to signing. He might play in Buffalo, but he'll have to tear up the AHL 1st. Besides, if Filatov is a real sniper we have enough tradeable assets to acquire the toughness we need otherwise. And that's if he's ready now, he wouldn't be here for at least another year otherwise, and who knows what we'll need by then?

[ckg68]

true we need that, but you usually don't draft ass kickers in the first round.

Didn't stop the Sharks from picking Nick Petrecki last year,now did it?

[two4trippn]

Didn't stop the Sharks from picking Nick Petrecki last year,now did it?

That's because the Sharks are a deep team.