Flyers Bring Zherdev Back From Russia

 

The last time Nikolai Zherdev was in the National Hockey League, it was two seasons ago for the New York Rangers. The Rangers acquired the former fourth overall selection from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who deemed him a disappointment within their organization. The Rangers would soon learn why Columbus was more than eager to dump Zherdev on them for a steady stay-at-home presence in Fedor Tytutin that had contrarily developed so well within the Rangers organization. For as capable a goal scorer as he is, Zherdev is as inconsistent as they come and never showed a true passion or committment to the game in the NHL.

That's why it came as a shock a few days ago when Puck Daddy's Dmitry Chesnokov reported that the Philadelphia Flyers signed Zherdev (which was initially disputed.) It was even more shocking when that report turned into an official agreement on Friday. General Manager Paul Holmgren inked the 25-year old to a one-year deal for $2 million.

The Flyers are known to have a passionate fan base that can just as easily cheer for players as it can heckle them straight out of the arena. Sometimes labeled as nutcases, nobody can deny the fact that the Flyers fans love their team and love their players. But that adoration comes with a condition - play your butts off and leave it all out on the ice. No taking games off. No taking shifts off. No playing when you feel like it and gliding the rest of the way. It's all night, every night. And then you win the city over.

But Zherdev is the complete opposite of that. Throughout his career, he has turned it on only when it was convenient for him. He is selfish at times - at others disinterested. He has failed to live up to his expectations, as a result. A player with his skill and creativity on the offensive side of the puck is more than capable of hitting the 40-goal mark on a perennial basis. But in his previous stints with Columbus and New York, he posted around 25 goals and 60 points at his best.

When Zherdev went to arbitration as a restricted free agent after one season with the Rangers, he was awarded a one-year salary of $3.9 million. He was seeking $4.5 million, while the Rangers wanted to pay him $3.25 million. At a pricetag $650,000 more than the Rangers wanted to pay, they let Zherdev walk and allowed the Ukranian-native to explore other offers as an unrestricted free agent. The one he took brought him to Atlant Mytischi of the Kontinental Hockey League, where he scored 13 goals and 26 assists for 39 points in 52 games, adding just one assists in four playoff games.

Now, he's back in the NHL and with a team that expects him to play like he cares. It's hard to imagine one year in Russia will change his personality enough to accomodate that simple expectation. But at $2 million on just a one year basis, perhaps it's worth the risk to see if he can at least provide 25 goals on the wing next season.

But in a city as tough as Philadelphia, it's more than just putting up points. It's also about showing heart, passion and a willingess to do whatever it takes to win. And Zherdev has never shown that kind of committment.

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This signing, of course, furthers the speculation that Simon Gagne's existence as a Flyers will cease very shortly. The 30-year old left wing who has spent his entire career with Philadelphia after being drafted 22nd overall by it in 1998 was asked on July 2 to waive his no-trade clause and reportedly agreed to do so. It was revealed days later that Gagne did not relinquish his no-trade clause option. While it's possible he gave permission on particular teams, the protection is still intact. He is, however, aware of the Flyers' cap situation and has not stated that he will not waive the no-trade clause. A plausible landing spot for Gagne was believed to be the Los Angeles Kings, though that was only a brief possibility as reports indicated they were out of the running.

Zherdev is now expected to, in part, replace Gagne and it will take part of his $5.25 million salary next season to pay the new addition. A deal involving Gagne is expected to come shortly. And if it doesn't, TSN's Darren Dreger has heard rumblings from NHL executives that the Flyers could place him on waivers.

Injury concerns and high salary aside, there should be little problem unloading Gagne on the waiver wire. It would just seem a bit asinine for Holmgren to be so desparate to cut loose a 30-plus goal scorer with tremendous tenacity on the ice for absolutey nothing. He should be able to come up with something through the trade route. Sports Illustrated's Allan Muir suspects the Kings are still in play for Gagne and could conceivably deal defenseman Thomas Hickey for Gagne, even if they are reluctant to let the 21-year old defenseman go. The on-again, off-again negotiations with Ilya Kovalchuk may force the Kings' hands into considering that deal, especially since Gagne currently represents a far cheaper hit in both salary cap and overall payroll.