Continental League wants compensation for Filatov; winger signs entry-level deal with Blue Jackets

The president of the Continental League in Russia, Alexander Medvedev, is demanding the Columbus Blue Jackets pay $500,000 in compensation for the rights to Nikita Filatov.

Filatov signed a standard, three-year entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets Thursday.

"(The law states) that a contract is terminated only when negotiating indemnity amount," Medvedev told a Russian paper Tuesday. "This did not happen."

Filatov believes his contract with CSKA Moscow expired three months ago and is free to pursue a career in North America when his work visa is processed.

"The lawyers studied all the documents," Filatov wrote on his blog. "There are no contentious issues."

Filatov was selected sixth overall by the Blue Jackets at the NHL Entry Draft in June. The 18-year-old scored 32 goals and 66 points in 34 games with CSKA Moscow’s junior team this season.

In his blog over the past few months, Filatov has expressed his desire to play in North America next season, whether it be with the Blue Jackets or possibly even in the Ontario League with the Sudbury Wolves, who took him first overall in the Canadian League import draft.