  The Senators allowed Nikita Filatov to go to Russia to play in the KHL after being a healthy scratch for the last five games. (Errol McGihon/QMI Agency)
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OTTAWA - Nikita Filatov is heading back to Russia.
The Senators have given the 21-year-old winger permission to return to the KHL's CSKA Moscow. Filatov, who had one assist in nine games for Ottawa, was reluctant to spend part of the season in Binghamton.
As a healthy scratch the last five games, he could no doubt see a demotion in the cards.
The Senators will retain the rights of the sixth overall pick in the 2008 draft by making Filatov a qualifying offer when he becomes a restricted free agent in July.
“We think he’s a very talented kid that played some nights and other nights couldn’t contribute very much,” GM Bryan Murray said Monday morning at Scotiabank Place. “He has to get stronger and be a little more competitive. I think from a talent point of view he can play in the league and be very successful.
“He’s a young player. He can go back and play there and be an important player. We’ll let that happen and we’ll see about what happens in the future."
The Senators will try to end a three game losing streak when they visit the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday.
