Today is the day for Nik Zherdev as he and his agent prepare to take on Rangers management in a battle of arbitration over about $1 million.
The Rangers reportedly have offered up to $3.25 million while the Zherdev camp is seeking around $4.5 million.
It appears at face value that the two sides will part, but there is more to think about than merely a stubborn kid who is overvaluing himself.
The Rangers gave up a strong player in defenseman Fedor Tyutin to acquire Zherdev, yes they also gave up Christian Backman and acquired Dan Fritsche, but the main component of the trade was Zherdev for Tyutin.
To simply lose Zherdev for nothing would make no sense as it shows that the Rangers got nothing for a top-four defenseman in Tyutin.
There is nothing limiting a sign-and-trade, of course, but what NHL team is going to take that chance at around $4 million? Not many unless you are taking a bad salary back in return.
Yet, what most are not talking about is how the Rangers roster will be affected by losing Zherdev. Are the Rangers really best served without him as opposed to with him?
While recent memory is always the easiest to evaluate, the team was relying on Zherdev as their primary offensive player for the first 50+ games of the season.
He was energetic, exciting, and a terrific talent. Fans must admit, for the better half of the season, they wanted Zherdev on the ice.
But it came crashing down as quickly as it seemed to build up.
He fell apart under new coach John Tortorella, was subject to benchings and line demotions, and did little in the playoffs.
Yet he still amassed 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points along with a solid +6.
Statistically he is a strong player, particularly at 24 years old.
Not discounting his attitude and prima donna-esque persona, but he is still a solid winger with terrific upside. Also consider that the offense will now focus on Marian Gaborik and Zherdev would be playing in a much higher-paced system under Tortorella, a role he could flourish in.
So while it seems inevitable that Zherdev will walk, it may not be the wisest move for an organization thin on the wings to let a potent scorer (albeit with a terrible attitude) to just strut down Fifth Avenue and onto a rival club.
You can't loss this guy for nothing.
Posted by: Roc | July 31, 2009 at 01:48 PM
"Zherdev would be playing in a much higher-paced system under Tortorella, a role he could flourish in."
I don't think its that cut and dry Dubi.
I don't think Zherdev fits into Tortorellas system at all... which is why he saw little time down the stretch. He doesnt take the hard route to the puck, he wont pay a price to get into scoring areas and it seemed late in the season he was falling down a lot and not keeping up with the play.
He'll need to be in tip top shape this year if he wants to satisfy Torts' need as a top scoring winger on this team. He's going to have to learn to support his linemates better rather than floating into areas where he's looking for a perfect pass. Tortorella needs speed and a commitment to positional play - with the mindset that puck possession is the key both a good offense and defense.
Add up all of Zherdevs shortcomings and compound it with the fact that he gives the puck away routinely and you can't paint such a rosy picture heading into this new "higher-paced system". The system only works if you have the players to execute it, and this particular system is even more sensitive to that mantra. Regardless of the points Z puts up, he still might not be right for this team, even with the right salary.
And this is coming from someone who absolutely loves to watch this kid dangle.
Posted by: Hockeybasednyc | July 31, 2009 at 03:39 PM
I disagree with Roc. Last year he was just about the rangers only option and was smothered by double teams. Yes he has a bad attitude but we should at least give him the opportunity to proove he is worth a large salery. We need him to work very hard to make it work no taking shifts off. Personally I think he shouldn't be satisfied with his results from last season(as he seems to be in interviews) and just have taken the qualifying offer and play for a big payday next year.
Posted by: JohnOC | July 31, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Oh yea, nice article
Posted by: JohnOC | July 31, 2009 at 03:51 PM
agree..we cant lose this type of offensive talent...we need this kid on the pp...this is one of the best articles you've written, dubi, and i have been critical of your writing in the past...well done, sir!
Posted by: traderalamo | July 31, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Another dumb Russian with no heart and no clue how to play NHL hockey when the games get big. What a shock.
Posted by: Bog | August 02, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Just got awarded 3.9 mil.
I think they should do it for one year... he's a weapon and we don't have many.
Posted by: The Nick | August 02, 2009 at 04:03 PM