Nikolai Zherdev

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Nikolai Zherdev

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Leafer
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Nikolai Zherdev

TSN is reporting that Nikolai Zherdev of the Blue Jackets MAY play in Russia next year, unless he can get a deal with Columbus.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (CP) - Winger Nikolai Zherdev may play in Russia next season unless there's a breakthrough in contract talks with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The restricted free agent has already signed a contract with Khimik Voskresensk of the Russian Superleague, his agent Rolland Hedges told the Columbus Dispatch.

''Nikolai's first objective is to play for the Columbus Blue Jackets,'' Hedges told the newspaper. ''If he's not able to do that because of a contract or budget situation, this way he has a place to play.''

Zherdev will spend the entire season in Russia if he doesn't sign with the Blue Jackets by Oct. 5.

''I'm not worried about it,'' Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean told the Dispatch. ''We'll attempt to sign him, but if we don't, we move on and he goes back to Russia for a year. There's no doubt we'd like to get him signed, though. We'll see.''

The Jackets have offered Zherdev a one-year deal and a two-year deal but nothing more. Zherdev wants a long-term deal.

''He has lots to prove yet both on and off the ice,'' said MacLean. ''We're not prepared to pay a premium to put him on a long-term deal.''

The 21-year-old was second on the Blue Jackets last season with 27 goals and 54 points.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=171842&hubname=nhl

This post was last modified: 07-20-2006 01:59 PM by Leafer.

07-20-2006 01:58 PM

mnwildfan23
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RE: Nikolai Zherdev

that's very interesting but i think they have a point. i probably would sign him for a couple of years before signing long term so he can have time to develop and adjust some more especially if he's used to playing in russia. it seems that the younger players want to sign long term and worry about the money without thinking about taking it step by step and developing more. of course, not all of the younger players probably think this way but it seems that at least some of them do.

You miss 100% of the shots you never take. – Wayne Gretzky

Great moments are born from great opportunity. - Herb Brooks

This post was last modified: 07-20-2006 03:25 PM by mnwildfan23.

07-20-2006 03:23 PM

shane472
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RE: Nikolai Zherdev

Zherdev has fully adjusted to the nhl already. He's been pretty effective at the nhl level and will be a huge loss for Columbus if he does play in Russia.

07-20-2006 04:13 PM

EagleBelfour
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RE: Nikolai Zherdev

Zherdev will not pay in Russia next year ... His agent playing the game of negociation. MacLean saying he does not mind that much seing Zherdev playing in Russia next year his also part of the negociation.

Columbus will compete for a playoff spot, with Zherdev on their first line.

07-20-2006 04:44 PM

Sedin33
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RE: Nikolai Zherdev

EagleBelfour Wrote:

07-20-2006 06:41 PM

shane472
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RE: Nikolai Zherdev

I'm not so sure of them competing for a playoff spot. Sure they look good on offense but their defense and goaltending is still not strong enough to get them in imo. I think they'll miss again this year.

07-20-2006 07:12 PM