Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexei Kovalev, and Pavel Datsyuk. These are the names that usually come to mind when you think of Russian NHL players that can lift you out of your seat. Nikolai Zherdev is probably not as well known to the fans as these stars, but his play certainly speaks for itself.
If you see the goal he scored in the last minute of a game against the Blackhawks in the 2005-2006 season, it pretty much sums up his potential and ability. He struggled in the 2006-2007 season, putting up 32 points (10g, 22a) in 71 games. This could certainly make people wonder if he can play good hockey on a yearly basis.
Zherdev was having personal problems that season though with Coach Ken Hitchcock and the Blue Jackets management, which could have certainly affected his play. This year he bounced back with a career year, posting new highs in points (61) and assists (35).
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But wait, the five players I mentioned earlier all finished the season with 80 points or more, and Zherdev only had 61. So why should Nikolai be on the same list as them? Well, the truth of the matter is those five players all had a great player alongside them on the ice usually.
Datsyuk had Zetterberg, Malkin had Crosby, Kovalchuk had Hossa and so on. I'm not taking anything away from these guys, they're all great players and can turn the game around on their own, but you can't tell me the presence of their line mates didn't assist them.
Zherdev and Rick Nash were the only real offensive forces for the Blue Jackets this year, which is probably why they played on separate lines. I saw Zherdev paired up with Mike Peca and Jason Chimera a lot. Who are those guys compared to Zetterberg or Hossa? Now that Zherdev has made the move to the Big Apple, more fans should come to know the native of Kiev, Ukraine.
If he can put up 61 points with Peca and Chimera on his line, imagine what he can do alongside players like Scott Gomez or Chris Drury.
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about 1 month ago
I see him in the KHL after next year. If he has any performance issues at all next year, New York will eat him up and he won't handle it. That being said, good luck to him. He was a lot of fun to watch last year.
about 1 month ago
Zherdev is going to be fine in NY. Columbus management and staff didn't like him for some reason and there was alot of tension between them but in NY, the organization absolutely loves getting this kid. Tom Renney isn't a guy who calls out players or bashes them if they are bad. He is a very passive guy and the Ranger organization knows he hasn't been comfortable in the NHL. Zherdev will be fine in NY and if he starts putting up major points, i don't think he will want to leave.
about 1 month ago
Hitch wasn't with the team the year he scored that end to end goal -- it was actually Gerard Gallant behind the bench with Doug MacLean as the gm.
That said your right in that Z was dealing with a lot of off ice personal issues and having a hot head like MacLean steering the ship whom also didn't understand how to develop a player like Zherdev (mentally b/c talent wise the kid was NHL ready) just made the situation worse to the point Z tuned out the Jackets.
He turned around last year under Hitch and Howson and had his best year to date but miles.
I wish him luck in NY. He's one of the most talented players in the NHL. He reminds me of Kovalev eariler in his career as a Ranger. In one shift he'll both amaze and befuddle you with his play. If he ever figures out how to compete night in and night out then you'll love this guy.
about 1 month ago
i didn't write that Hitchcock was the coach in 05-06. I wrote that in 06-07 he and Hitchcock had some personal issues with one another and weren't getting along.
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