After fitting in with the Columbus Blue Jackets as well as Jamarcus Russell does with cheeseburgers, Nikita Filatov is ready to make an impact on the NHL with the Ottawa Senators.
Analysis: Nikita Filatov will be getting top six forward minutes this year and if he’s lucky he just may wind up on the first line with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson at some point. Filatov wasted the past three seasons with the Blue Jackets but still at age twenty-one Filatov is primed for his break-out campaign. He’s a pure goal scorer and with top six minutes he’s good for 25 goals and at least 25 assists this year. If Ottawa can stay healthy they just may make a playoff run in the east.
The shots on goal, ice time and points should all be there for you in deep leagues but the big question will be his plus/minus. I wouldn’t expect anything worse than a minus seven to ten but he and the Senators just may surprise us all this year. Filatov is certainly worth taking a chance on deep into drafts over some of the rookies that may not see enough ice time to make an impact in the fantasy world.