Rookie forward Nikita Filatov, who has struggled to remain in coach Ken Hitchcock's lineup, might be headed back to Russia, perhaps as soon as this week, according to sources within and beyond the NHL.

Jackets general manager Scott Howson would not comment on a potential agreement allowing the 19-year-old Filatov to return to his former club team, CSKA Moscow. Nothing has been finalized, however, and Filatov and the Blue Jackets are expected to talk again today about the possibility of staying in Columbus.

At least one teammate has encouraged Filatov to give the situation more time before making a decision, a source said.

Neither Filatov, a healthy scratch tonight against Edmonton, nor his agent Don Meehan would comment when contacted by The Dispatch. Hitchcock also declined to comment.

Meehan, who represents several Jackets, was in town over the weekend.

If Filatov, the No. 6 overall NHL pick in 2008, does play for his old Continental Hockey League team it would be with the understanding that he could return to the Jackets next season, according to multiple sources.

The Jackets would retain Filatov's NHL rights for several more seasons. He will still be a restricted free agent when his entry level deal expires after the 2011-12 season.

Filatov has played in just 13 games this season, averaging just 8 minutes, 6 seconds of ice time the third lowest total behind forwards Mike Blunden and Jared Boll.

It's believed that the handling of Filatov, a highly-skilled, but small winger, has become a contentious issue between Hitchcock and Howson, the man who drafted him.

Filatov has not drawn the ice time many anticipated. He was projected as a Rookie-of-the-Year candidate by several media outlets, based on his pedigree and success in a limited NHL role last season.

Hitchcock has played Filatov primarily on the fourth line, sitting him for long stretches late in games. He has two goals after scoring four in eight games last season, including a hat trick against Minnesota on Jan. 10.

The coach repeatedly has said the 6-foot, 175-pound winger has not been competitive enough, especially fighting for the puck. Several weeks ago, Filatov was in "survival mode," Hitchcock said.

The coach has had discussions with Filatov, telling him he did not want the player to become another Nikolai Zherdev, the mercurial former Blue Jacket first-round draft pick traded to the New York Rangers in the summer of 2008. Zherdev is playing in the KHL this season.

Filatov made headlines in the offseason by saying he received substantial offers from several KHL clubs and that if he were returned to minor-league Syracuse he would consider going back to Russia. He played 39 games last season for the Crunch.

Sources say Filatov's discontent with his role on the team has escalated in the past week.

On Friday night, Filatov committed three turnovers on the same shift late in the second period. He was sat last night in favor of Tom Sestito, a checking forward promoted from minor-league Syracuse. Sestito had played one previous NHL game April 6, 2008 against St. Louis in which he compiled 17 penalty minutes.

In the post-game news conference, Hitchcock was asked if last night's decision to scratch Filatov was different than previous times.

"How about we leave that one (alone) right now," Hitchcock said. "Tommy played well tonight. I was happy with Tommy."

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