Center Derick Brassard had known for weeks that Nikita Filatov was unhappy with his role on the Blue Jackets and wanted to return to Russia.

At first, Brassard tried persuading his friend to give the situation more time. Injuries were inevitable, he told Filatov, and ice time and opportunities would increase.

But within the past week, Brassard's message changed as he realized Filatov was intent on going home.

"I told him if you do it, do it with class," Brassard said. "Don't go away saying anything that will make people mad at you. I think he handled it well."

Yesterday, Filatov flew home. The Blue Jackets agreed to loan him to CSKA Moscow of the Continental Hockey League for the remainder of season.

Touted as an NHL Rookie of the Year candidate, Filatov left the Blue Jackets after just 19 games. A season after scoring a hat trick in his sixth NHL game, the winger had two goals and no assists.

Filatov found himself relegated to fourth-line duty under a demanding coach and was, perhaps, physically and mentally unprepared for the league's challenges on a nightly basis.

Instead of taking more time to adjust, Filatov chose to return to Russia, where he likely will receive ample ice time and a chance to strengthen his 6-foot, 175-pound frame.

"I think it was right for him to go back," Brassard said. "He will come back next year and be a better player, a more mature player."

Most teammates interviewed are taking Filatov at his word that he will return. They said his departure will not be a distraction.

"I know him well, he's my buddy, but one player doesn't make a team," forward Jake Voracek said. "He has left. We've played a lot without him, and we've done good."

The Jackets (11-6-2) are off to their best start in franchise history. The players, though, concede that Filatov's considerable talents will be missed.

"Having him here, if he wanted to be here, would have helped us out," forward R.J. Umberger said. "We know from day one he's had a lot of pressure to go back there (to Russia) and play. Sometimes, when you are upset, you look for an easy way. Right now, he's going to go over there and get 20 minutes of ice time."

Filatov averaged barely more than eight minutes for the Jackets and rarely competed to the liking of coach Ken Hitchcock.

Blue Jackets forward Jason Chimera wondered how many 19-year-olds would be disappointed with eight minutes a game and limited power-play time.

"I'd jump for joy," Chimera said. "Maybe that's just me."

Some believe Filatov was uncomfortable playing in high-traffic areas and on the road --- common obstacles to young, skilled forwards."He wasn't playing the way Hitch wanted him to play," captain Rick Nash said. "He tried. Some games he had great games and other times he shied away a bit. He is so young. It's tough to put the blame on anyone. People forget he's only 19."

Nash said he saw a change in Filatov's demeanor from the start of training camp. Filatov told Yahoo that he began planning his return to Russia after four regular-season games but that his agents wanted him to stay awhile longer.

"He wasn't as excited as when he first got here, but that's going to happen when you are not in the lineup," Nash said. "It depends on how you react to it. It motivates some guys even more."

Hitchcock has been portrayed by some as a coach who dislikes working with young, skilled Europeans, particularly Russians.

"I don't care where you're from as long as you compete hard," Hitchcock said.

Players such as Voracek, a 20-year-old from the Czech Republic, have adapted to Hitchcock's brusque style.

"It doesn't matter if you are from Russia or the Czech Republic or from Iraq," Voracek said. "If you are a good player who plays hard, you are going to play. It doesn't matter who is the coach."

treed@dispatch.com