Thursday, April 1, 2010

Rangers Interested in Zherdev Again?

Laurie at Beyond the Blueshirts reports on a rumor in Russia stating that the Rangers are interested in re-acquiring Nikolai Zherdev after Team Russia assistant coach Andrei Nazarov revealed in an interview that Glen Sather asked him for his opinion on three players from the KHL which he claims the Rangers are interested in...

While Nazarov did not identify the players, the interviewer did make some speculation...

“According to some reports, the president of the Rangers is interested in Nikolai Zherdev from Atlant.”

...i've seen a lot of comments from readers of this blog stating that letting Zherdev this past off-season go was a mistake and his offense has been sorely missed this season.

...maybe, but he showed down the stretch and in the playoffs that he melts once the hot lights of Broadway are on. I don't need anyone like that on the Rangers.

...i also wouldn't put too much stock into this report as Russia is notorious for their Eklund-like hockey rumors.

12 comments:

Chris said...

No, thanks. I did not enjoy his time on Broadway.

-DO said...

I have to admit, when he was here, I always thought how pretty it would be to see him and Gaborik skate together. I've always liked Gab even before he was in NY, and I thought the way Zherdev skated and handled the puck was like Gaborik Lite -- same great moves but about 60% of the skill. My only reservation is that he had like zero motivation and heart. We have enough of that here already.

Unknown said...

Zherdev - is that the best we can do?

If Torts is still the coach he'd just sit on the bench all season anyway.

Unknown said...

I'd take Zherdev back— he's pure talent. Rangers don't have too many guys like that on the team. A bunch of grinders, yeah, but they need more players with "pure skill."

Anonymous said...

April fools!

!JustDance said...

Kid is 25 and has had a 60 point season, and a 58 point with the Rangers. Dude has made the playoffs one time, and he 'melts?' Did we even watch last year? The whole team melted. A young kid in his first series is hardly melting. We all know he has the talent for 70 points. How is this even an issue? We love Callahan and Dubinsky but neither has had more than 41 points (Dubi will get 45 this year). What are we smoking? OF COURSE we take Zherdev! So he's a little immature. So is Torts. They would be great together.

Sadly, this rumor seems like BS.

Unknown said...

losing zherdev wasn't the mistake...losing nik borat antropov was the mistake.

he's put up great numbers all year in atlanta with kolvy and without him.

Andrew_794 said...

sounds like april fools...sather would have to be dumb to have not resigned zherdev and then listen to someone elses advice and resign him a year later...

wow that doesnt sound like such b.s...

and to put this in perspective...for the money we signed brashear and kotalik for, we could have had zherdev back,and while inconsistant he would be second on this team in points...

and we would probably have some more wins and be in a better playoff hunt...

Evan S said...

loosing either player hurt, Zherdev has all the skill in the world, he is very similar to Alex Semin down in Washington. Antropov was a big asset to the team but wanted too much cash. HOWEVER, I saw an interview Zherdev had with the Russian media where he explained that he wants to return to the NHL and realized he needs to be more mature...sounds like we could take a 1 year flier on him.

chef dave said...

I would say take him if the contract is right (and potentially movable). Say maybe 2 years @ 4 mil. That way if he wants to push he play on a top line, but if he wants to relax he can do it on the 3rd line and I suppose you could do worse for a third line winger at that price.

chef dave said...

But for the record I would still rather have Tuytin back.

Anonymous said...

i am all for zherdev comeing back. he had more points than half the team last year. also he has amazing talent, do younot remember that nasty toe drag from the blue ling the begining of last season? i say sather made a mistake not bringing him back to be honest.