“When you’re going for a rebound, you’re not in a clear state of mind. You’re blinded. You’re glorifying something that’s coming along right now; just because they’re convenient.
…
(Rebounds) come back to haunt you.
…
Don’t do a rebound. They are the worst thing that you can do.”
Rebounds, according to Asaka — a chick who has her own channel on YouTube and obviously knows what she’s talking about – are bad. Ignoring the fact that she was referring to her relationship experiences from junior-high, it’s obviously a sentiment that Nikita Filatov shares.
In case you haven’t heard, a minor buzz was created this morning after the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline revealed a story about Senators prospect Nikita Filatov that dated back to the player’s time with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
According to Portzline (@aportzline):
True story about Filatov, was just given clearance to share: One of his many previous coaches calls him into room with video guy for …
… one-on-one film work, to show him instance where they want him to crash the net and get to rebounds, create scoring chances.
After four or five clips, Filatov steps back from the monitor, looks at the coaches and says, flatly: "Filly don't do rebounds."
In the wake of yesterday’s news that the Senators prospect would prefer to return to the KHL than spend an entire season in Binghamton collecting an AHL salary (per Capgeek, Filatov’s AHL salary is $65,000), the timing of the reveal couldn’t be more damaging. Here in Ottawa, citizens have been buying shovels in preparation for this winter’s snowfall. Well, these shovels are now dual-purpose: certain sects of the fan base can also use them to heave excrement on what little is left of Filatov’s reputation.
As easy as it is for fans to label Filatov as a soft, money-chasing Russkie, it’s equally as easy to forget that we’re discussing a 21-year old who had been with the Blue Jackets since the age of 18 and arrived in Ottawa with a clean slate.
Nevertheless, time is running out for Filatov in Ottawa. On Toronto sports radio yesterday, General Manager Bryan Murray said that he's open to the possibility of sending Filatov back to the KHL provided of course that Filatov doesn't look like he'll have the opportunity to play in the NHL. Since he is under contract with the organization, there's something to be said for their reluctance to simply let him go. There may still be that sliver of hope that he can figure it out and develop into a productive NHL player, but if you put any merit into Filatov's clever foreshadowing, maybe it's time we stop waiting for Filatov's career to rebound.
