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Filatov = Zherdev?

by Paul on 10/13/09 at 12:28 PM ET
Comments (3)

from Tom Reed of Puck-rakers at the Columbus Dispatch,

Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock and his 19-year-old rookie Nikita Filatov met for more than 10 minutes at center ice this morning as the players swirled around them. It was a fascinating scene as Hitchcock, at times tapping his stick on the ice, conveyed what’s expected of the talented Filatov.

By all accounts, it was a healthy and constructive chat.

The coach let Filatov know he would be a healthy scratch for tonight’s game. He also emphasized that Filatov needs to be more competitive on the puck. A smiling Filatov said Hitchcock told him he’s been getting “worse,’’ over the course of the four games. Never mind his ice time has been decreasing each night. Hitchcock wants Filatov thinking “quality over quantity.”

But the most interesting element—and I don’t want to reveal too much because columnist Bob Hunter will be writing about the topic for Wednesday—is that both player and coach conceded that Nikolai Zherdev has been discussed in relation to Filatov’s development.

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Columbus Blue Jackets | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Nikita+Filatov,

Comments

Yeah…Zherdev was lazy but he was (and still is) quite talented.  What happened was he NEVER had a dedicated set up man in columbus or new york.  Put him on a team with Savard, Sharp, Hemsky, Datsyuk, Crosby, or Backstrom and you’ll see what the guy can do.

Posted by stoneman from vegas on 10/13/09 at 03:44 PM ET

Yeah…Zherdev was lazy but he was (and still is) quite talented.  What happened was he NEVER had a dedicated set up man in columbus or new york.  Put him on a team with Savard, Sharp, Hemsky, Datsyuk, Crosby, or Backstrom and you’ll see what the guy can do.

Isn’t that what Voracek is/supposed to be?

Posted by Primis on 10/13/09 at 04:01 PM ET

Filatov definitely does not equal Zherdev. 

Filatov is a young, under-sized forward that needs a couple more years to grow.  He outworks many players that are larger than him.  He just has troubles being pushed off the puck once he gets it, that will decrease as he grows into his full size.

Zherdev is lazy and not willing to go to the hard areas to score.  It was never about having a setup man, Zherdev is his own setup.  Watch some of his end-to-end scoring highlights.  Then watch his play away from the puck and against the walls.  Wait, forget that part, there were no sightings of him playing along the walls.

Posted by Dave on 10/14/09 at 08:43 AM ET

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