The 2008 draft pool is considered the deepest in years and the Islanders are set to select higher in this year’s Entry Draft than they have in the past seven. With the Islanders selecting fifth in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft on Friday, June 20 in Ottawa, many highly-touted prospects will be available for the Isles to choose from. Each week leading up to the draft, Newyorkislanders.com will feature a new player who is likely to go early in this year’s draft.

Nikita Filatov

NIKITA FILATOV

Team: CSKA Moscow (Russian Junior League)
Position: Left Wing
Born: May 25, 1990 in Moscow, Russia (Age 17)
Height: 6-0   
Weight: 158
Shoots: Right
CSS Final Ranking: No. 1 ranked European skater
2007-08 Regular Season: Games Played (32), Goals (34), Assists (32), Points (66), PIM (90)
2008 WJC: Games Played (7), Goals (4), Assists (5), Points (9), PIM (10)

Update: Filatov appeared at both the 2008 under-18 World Junior Championships and 2008 World Junior Championships. He had an exceptional showing at both, but it was at the 2008 WJC where he made his mark. In the tournament, Filatov recorded four goals, five assists and a plus-seven rating. His nine total points ranked second at the tournament as he helped Russia claim the Bronze medal by recording two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win over the United States. Filatov appeared in 32 games with CSKA Moscow of the Russian Junior League in 2007-08, where he tallied 32 goals and 34 assists for 66 points in 32 games.

Strengths: Filatov boasts tremendous speed. His ability to see the open ice and pass - especially when moving at high speed - makes him a threat anytime he is on the ice. He has shown that he will attack the net and battle in the corners for pucks. Filatov plays at a very high intensity every shift on the ice.

Clips of Nikita Filatov:

Nikita Filatov

What They’re Saying:

“He is a young talented hockey player with a good technique and good speed too. He has definitely an NHL upside because he can score, he is a well-rounded player and he is responsible in the defensive zone.”

-    Sergei Nemchinov / U-20 Russian Team Coach and two-time Stanley Cup Champion

“Filatov may have the purest skill set of anyone in this draft. Stamkos receives the nod over Filatov for his overall game, but Filatov takes a backseat to no one in this draft in skill.”

-    Ken McKenna / The Sporting News

“Alexei Cherepanov was skilled, but everybody worried about his work ethic. This guy’s more talented and he plays real hard, too.”

-    NHL Scout

“The young, English speaking, CSKA Moscow winger looks almost like a cross between Ilya Kovalchuk and Maxim Afinogenov in terms of playing style.”

-    Jante Abrahamsson / McKeen’s Hockey Prospects


NIKITA FILATOV STAT BOX

Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	Russia	WJC-18	7	4	5	9	6
2007-08	CSKA Moscow	Russian Junior	32	32	34	66	90
2007-08	CKSA Moscow	Russian League	5	0	0	0	0
2008	Russia	WJC	7	4	5	9	10
2008	Russia	WJC-18	6	3	6	9	29

ISLANDERS ENTRY DRAFT PARTY
Save The Date – June 20!

The Islanders will host an NHL Entry Draft Party at the Coliseum when the team selects fifth overall in the first round on Friday night, June 20. Save the date and stay tuned to newyorkislanders.com for more details on the return of the Draft Party!


More Draft Central:

• NYI DRAFT CENTRAL:THE NUMBER FIVE
• NYI DRAFT CENTRAL:CSS FINAL RANKINGS ANNOUNCED
• NYI DRAFT CENTRAL:DRAFT DAY EXPERIENCES
• NYI DRAFT CENTRAL: Alex Pietrangelo
• NYI DRAFT CENTRAL: Luke Schenn
• NYI DRAFT CENTRAL: Colin Wilson