Flyers’ Signing of Zherdev a Gamble Worth Taking
NHLHS Philadelphia Flyers Correspondent David Strehle examines Philly’s signing of Nikolai Zherdev and the ramifications for the rest of the team.
The Philadelphia Flyers have officially signed Nikolai Zherdev. Per club policy, terms were not disclosed (via flyers.nhl.com)
When word got out via Teemu H. (@euroflyers) and Puck Daddy’s Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) on Twitter that the Philadelphia Flyers were in the process of signing former-NHL right wing Nikolai Zherdev, it seemed a curious move by GM Paul Holmgren.
First of all, without being able to move any contracts, Holmgren will have massive issues in maintaining his salary structure within the guidelines of the upper cap limit.
Also, some would say that Zherdev and the Flyers are not a good mix…at all. The 25-year-old native of the Ukraine has never had any questions regarding his abilities. He is one of the most talented hockey players in the world.
The doubts are in reference to a lack of concern for the defensive end of the ice, and his commitment and willingness to compete at a high level on an every-night basis.
A year removed from the NHL, Zherdev played for Mytishchi Atlant of the Kontinental Hockey League in 2009-10. The team consisted of such ex-NHLers as Jiri Novotny, Jan Bulis, Oleg Petrov, Oleg Kvasha, among others. And Zherdev finished third in club scoring with 13 goals and 39 points in 52 contests.
The fourth overall selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Zherdev had been an enigma thoughout his five seasons in the NHL with both Columbus and the New York Rangers.
Over the course of 365 NHL contests, Zherdev has recorded 99 goals and 239 points. He has scored 20+ goals in three different seasons, with his career-high of 27 coming during the 2005-06 campaign.
But his mix of skill and nonchalance has driven coaches crazy.
In Columbus he clashed with then-head coach Ken Hitchcock, who is all about defensive responsibility, as many of the players that were here during Hitch’s tenure as head coach of the Flyers will attest.
When he was dealt to the New York Rangers prior to the 2008-09 season, he got to play for Tom Renney, and later John Tortorella after Renney was fired.
But as was announced today, Zherdev has (finally) inked the one-year deal, believed to be worth between $2-3 million.
Zherdev has teased his former teams with flashes of what he could be if he reached his full potential. And that’s where Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette comes into the picture.
Laviolette could be the perfect coach with which to extract the best from Zherdev moving forward. His up tempo style fits right in with Zherdev’s skating abilities, and could be just what is needed to keep the 6′ 2″, 197 pound winger involved in the game.
Laviolette’s patience was a big key in helping struggling winger Scott Hartnell get his act together during Philly’s postseason run to the Finals. The coach had a talk with Hartnell after game three of the Boston Bruins series, telling him that he needed more from him. He kept Hartnell in the lineup, and was rewarded with arguably Hartnell’s best play of the entire season. Hartnell was one of the best Flyers’ forwards in the Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.
So we know the downside of signing Zherdev. But what about the upside?
Simply put, Zherdev represents something that has not been present on the Orange-and-Black in years, a true game-breaking sniper on the right side.
Laviolette has had to move Danny Briere, Jeff Carter, Claude Giroux, Darroll Powe all natural centers, to man the wings. Zherdev is a natural right wing and is more comfortable with the position than the transplanted centers.
Having another natural winger will allow those players to more at their more familiar position.
And with many wingers currently on the roster cut from almost the exact same mold, limited offensively and strong defensively, Zherdev’s offense is a welcomed addition.
Affect on Gagne
But it may mean the end of the line for Simon Gagne in a Flyers’ uniform.
Last week it was reported that Gagne had waived his no-trade clause, and there were rumors of trade talks with the Los Angeles Kings.
But yesterday, Gagne told RDS.ca that he never waived his NTC.
This led to speculation that Gagne may be waived if a trade is not readily available for the 30-year-old winger. Darren Dreger of TSN reported as much via Twitter.
There is no doubt that the cap space that Holmgren had available to him has disappeared, and depending on the amount of Zherdev’s pact, are almost-certainly over the limit. And there is still the matter of unsigned RFA Daniel Carcillo and UFA Arron Asham.
But is moving another natural winger like Gagne and his $5.25 million contract the best course of action? It would seem that with the glut of centers (Mike Richards, Carter, Giroux, Briere, Betts, Powe), maybe dealing a pivot would be the better choice.
Holmgren is far from done in his summer of re-tooling his club, but it seems that with every move he makes, two more are needed.
Stay tuned…
Taking a Flyer: Coincidentally, Flyers defensive prospect Denis Bodrov also saw action in 12 games for Mytishchi Atlant last season before being brought over to North America, where he finished the year with the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL.
David Strehle
NHLHS Flyers Correspondent / NHL Writer
dstrehle@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @PhilaDAVEia
As much of a reward this signing could be, I don’t get it for Philly. Unless they are certain they are trading Gagne, why do this singing. Personally, I would rather have Gagne, even with his injuries, every time before Zherdev.
Unless I am missing something, why would the Flyers prefer Zherdev over Gagne?
It was a strange signing, and when his name was first mentioned it was completely out of the blue. Having played in the KHL last year, I don’t know too many GMs that considered having Zherdev on their radars.
The situation with Gagne is just bizarre. He’s an UFA after next season, so a trade wouldn’t be completely unexpected, using the “get something for him now instead of letting him walk away for nothing in return” philosophy.
But like so many Flyers, Gagne has the NTC. It was reported that he had waived it and that Holmgren was speaking to a couple of teams, then Gagne told RDS.ca that he never waived it. Weird offseason so far, to say the least…