"First-round pick Nikita Filatov was the first star of Sunday's win in Toronto, scoring the first goal of the game and ending it with his shootout score.

Still, all signs indicate he's headed to minor-league Syracuse by 3 p.m. Wednesday, when the Blue Jackets' roster must be final.

"It's really unfortunate that he missed so much time," Hitchcock said. "Not only the time in camp (because of a hairline fracture in a leg) but not being able to get over here (to North America) from Russia quicker this summer to get acclimated.

"I feel a little bit for him. He's trying to absorb a lot more than most guys.""