Latest on Nikita Filatov, Daniel Alfredsson, Marek Malik and more.

ESPN.COM: Pierre  LeBrun reports the agreement between the Columbus Blue Jackets and young forward Nikita Filatov allowing him to return to Russia to play this season could benefit both sides, with the hope Filatov returns to the Jacket next fall a better player.

AOL FANHOUSE: Christopher Botta reports the Blue Jackets can continue to "live in denial" Filatov and head coach Ken Hitchcock can co-exist or "deal with reality" and listen to offers from rival teams. Botta believes the Blue Jackets will listen to offers between the end of the Christmas trade freeze and the March 3rd trade deadline, suggesting a top rated young player like Filatov could attract a package (a defenseman and a forward) that could put the Blue Jackets over the top.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Hat tip to "geduffer" for the Fanhouse link.  Botta makes a good point about Filatov chafing under Hitchcock's two-way system and it is possible GM Scott Howson could listen to offers but it'll take a really good offer to convince Howson to part with him.

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Allen Panzeri recently reported Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson doesn't see himself playing for another NHL team and plans to retire a Senator, even if that should mean not winning a Stanley Cup. Alfredsson is currently signed to the end of the 2012-13 season.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: That kind of loyalty to an NHL franchise is a rarity. He also has a no-movement clause in his current contract so he'll call the shots during the remainder of this contract. If he continues as a Senator after this deal expires however will be up to the club if he wants to continue playing after 2013.

SPORTING NEWS: Craig Custance yesterday reported former NHL defenseman Marek Malik is weighing offers from a couple of European teams and was recently contacted by an NHL team. Malik said he'll "jump on the next plane" if he gets an offer from an NHL club.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: As injuries pile up Malik, like former NHL defenseman Chris Chelios, could be back in the league at some point this season.

ST. LOUIS DISPATCH: Dan O'Neill reports the Blues are overstocked with defensemen, currently with eight vying for six positions, plus have some depth in that position in their farm system. Blues president John Davidson didn't entirely rule out the possibility of dealing a defenseman for perhaps depth at other positions.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: O'Neill noted the Blues offense has stagnated and with the club struggling to build on their strong finish to last season it's possible at some point this season the Blues could shop a d-man for a scoring forward.

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