Restricted free agent forward Nikita Filatov has signed a contract with Salavat Yulaev of the KHL.
With his status for next season unknown and his future with the Ottawa Senators up in the air, it appears as though Nikita Filatov is making other plans for next season.
Filatov remains the property of the Ottawa Senators for now, but they'll need to send him a qualifying offer to retain his rights. That seems unlikely with the news he has signed a two year deal with a team in the KHL.
When the Senators made the deal for Filatov at the draft last season, it was described as a low risk, high reward move. Filatov is a player that has all the skill in the world but has yet to show the determination and work ethic required to be successful at the NHL level.
Filatov was given an opportunity at the start of the season but never seemed to fit in here in Ottawa. After a brief yet impressive stint in Binghamton, Filatov made the decision to return to Russia to finish the season.
There's still a chance the Senators could make the decision to qualify Filatov to ensure they maintain his NHL rights but that seems like a long shot at this point.
Good luck in the KHL, Mr. Filatov.
