NIKOLAI ZHERDEV Is the Future of the New York Rangers!!

He controls and moves the puck better then any one in hockey. He spins, he jukes, he slides the puck between his legs, he shoots, HE SCORES!

He has one of the quickest shots in hockey, and skates with the gracefulness of a figure skater.

Game after game, NIKOLAI ZHERDEV has proved he is the best skater in the NHL. He is one of the elite when it comes to hockey players.

His problem! Our problem! Is the fact that he has no one close to his ability playing with him. Or have someone, Anyone, That can actually put the puck in the net.

His lightning speed, and quick moves is something beautiful to watch, and he makes it look so easy. He dekes past defenders with ease and his passing ability is something hockey fans have never seen before.

His offensive smarts, quick thinking and awesome passing has created endless opportunities that have ended the same way far to many times. No goals!

This, at no fault of his own. Has to change!

Zherdev has done everything he can to make some remarkable plays on the ice to help this team win and score goals. But he is stuck with team-mates that can not put the puck in an empty net.

This 24-year-old youngster born in Kiev Ukraine. Is the future of the New York Rangers. As a Ranger fan, I have to hope that Glen Sather realizes this as well.

Far to many times have the Rangers traded players away, that they should have built the team around. I hope this will not happen with Zherdev because he truly is a one of a kind player.

In 2003, he was the Columbus Blue Jackets first over all pick. Fourth overall for that years entry draft.

In his first year, playing with the troubled Blue Jackets. He scored 13 goals and 21 assists tallying 34 points in 57 games.

In the '05/'06 season he had 27 goals and 27 assists. Tallying 54 points in 73 games. Tied for second in points with Rick Nash. Last year he totaled 10 goals with 22 assists for 32 points in 71 games.

Now at this point with the Rangers, he is second in goals, first in assists, and first in points.

He is by far the best player on this team, and yet receives no recognition. Everything is Drury or Gomez or Naslund. When it is really Zherdev that steals the spot light on the ice with every move he makes.

He is the player the Rangers have to build a team around. Other then Naslund (who is having a much better year then I expected him to have) and maybe Ryan Callahan, This team is filled with second, third and fourth line players. Yes, that is right!

Not one of these players on the Rangers roster is a true super-star. With the exceptions of Zherdev!

Naslund as we all know is a big name player whose numbers have fallen the last few years. Weather it was an injury, the players he played with, the style his team played or just getting old. Naslund has struggled and dropped off the top ranking charts.

Gomez is a second line center. Never known for his scoring abilities. In nine years of playing. He scored over 20 goals once in his career. His high is 33 goals. Other than his rookie year where he had 19 goals. He is an average 14 or 15 goal scorer a year. Better known for assists, he is not truly a super-star.  

So when they say Gomez hasn’t scored a goal in 15 games, why do we act so surprised.

Reason is we are expecting more of him then what he is capable of doing.

I like Scotty. I love his speed and his love for the game. He actually does have a good shot. But he chooses to pass more then shoot. And right now we need goals.

Chris Drury is a second line center as well. He is an average 20-25 goal scorer a year. Won a cup with Colorado Avalanche. Where it was all Might Joe Sakic. His two best years were with Buffalo where he had 30 and 37 goals. But even then, he was second to Danny Briere.

Now we are talking two different teams here. Couching staff and players alike. Buffalo had players that were doing it all on a consistent basis. Now with the Rangers. Even with players of Zherdev’s abilities, and putting the puck on his stick, Drury is still having problems scoring.

So who is left. Where is our big time player. Nowhere to be found.

Zherdev and Callahan have not yet played on the same line together. With Callahan playing like a Raging Bull, his toughness [which I can not get enough of] and Zherdev’s speed and abilities, I think they would do good together.

Callahan likes to be fed the puck when he is hiding in the slots. He has a real quick and accurate shot as well, and with the way Zherdev passes. That might be a really good pairing. With Gomez’s speed, as well as Callahan’s, they are really the only two players I can see playing with Zherdev at this time.

I like Dubinski. He reminds me of a younger Jagr. Problem with him playing with Nikolai is that Dubs like to control the puck as well as Zherdev. There is where the two clash.

And if you watch the games closely, Dubinski takes the puck to the boards and either one, loses it or two passes it up along the boards or behind the net. Where as Zherdev is looking to set someone up in front of the net.

Two players that like to control the puck, but have two different styles of playing.

The Rangers need to focus on getting players that can score and will form some chemistry with Zherdev. He is the future of this team and the Rangers need to recognize this and soon.

Another thing I don’t understand is that we have another very good Russian player named Artem Anisimov who is a center. He was called up to the Rangers line up on Feb. 2.

Then was sent back down two days later. I don’t know much about him, but from what I read he is supposed to be a very good and fast player. With a very good shot. Why hasn’t this kid been giving a chance yet.

At 6'4" 194 lbs. This is a big kid. Put him with Zherdev, and Callahan. And see what happens. Just a thought, but what can it hurt at this point. Not like they are winning any way.

If anyone has any info on Anisimov, I would appreciate it if you can let me know. I searched but haven’t found much on him.

As you can tell I am a huge Nikolai Zherdev fan. I watched him play since his first game in the NHL till now. Believe me when I tell you he is the real deal. And if the Rangers can add players to match his abilities, and start forming a team around him, they would be unstoppable.

I can't help but think what it would have been like if we could have seen Zherdev and my other favorite player, Wayne Gretzky play together. Can you imagine how many points they would have had together?