"As of yesterday, the Sudbury Wolves, the junior team which holds the rights to forward Nikita Filatov, had not secured a release from the Russian Hockey Federation. It means Filatov, the franchise's top pick in June, probably would start the season with minor-league Syracuse, assuming he doesn't make the Jackets.

The Canadian Hockey League, which oversees the three junior leagues, does not want to run afoul in its relationship with the International Ice Hockey Federation by waiving the need for the Russia's authorization, sources have said."