Rookie forward Nikita Filatov has had trouble cracking the Columbus lineup. (Harry How/Getty Images)The Columbus Blue Jackets have lent rookie forward Nikita Filatov to CSKA Moscow of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League for the rest of the season, the team announced Tuesday.
The 19-year-old has had trouble cracking the Columbus lineup, and was a healthy scratch for the Jackets' game Monday night against Edmonton.
The Russian has appeared in 13 games this season, scoring two goals and averaging a little over eight minutes of ice time per game.
"Nikita is a top prospect in our organization and we believe it is in the best interest of his development to play more and in all situations in the KHL," said Columbus general manager Scott Howson.
"We have agreed to his request to be assigned to CSKA and this should afford him the opportunity to continue to work and develop his game in his hometown of Moscow."
Reports suggest that Filatov's development path has become a contentious issue between coach Ken Hitchcock and Howson, who drafted him.
Filatov was selected sixth overall by the Jackets in the 2008 NHL draft, and will return to Columbus next season.
Many analysts around the league thought that Filatov would contend for the Rookie-of-the-Year award this season, after a promising debut in a limited role last year.
