Nikolai Zherdev

by Death_from_Above on Jul 31, 2011 12:05 PM EDT

I would like the Senators to sign Nikolai Zherdev. By taking a chance with Nikita Filatov they should now go after Zherdev. I know there are detractors and well deserved. Last season, I don't know why Philly signed him with Carter, Briere and Giroux ahead of him. But that was there problem. For Ottawa the 2nd line centre ice spot is wide open and I think with a rebuilding team that has a spot for him, Zherdev could blossom in Ottawa.

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Dunno

I think the Senators probably want to see whether any of the guys presently with the team can step up and fill that position, and one ‘project player’ at a time is probably enough.

I’m not implacably opposed to the Senators signing Zherdev, I just don’t think that the move fits in with the team’s direction.

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by JonathanA on Jul 31, 2011 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

I'm with Jonathan

Also, Zherdev plays the wing if I’m not mistaken. Let’s try one Columbus-failed-offensive-prosepect at a time.

by DaveYoung on Jul 31, 2011 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

I don't know where we'd play him

We have so many forwards under contract as it is.

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by Mark Parisi on Aug 1, 2011 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

That's the most important thing

He could have potential but there is just no room for him given all the other contracts.

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by Adnan on Aug 1, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

He's got potential

But he seems to have similar questions to those that surround Filatov. Do we want to take a flyer on both of them?

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by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 1, 2011 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

If you bring Zherdev in who do you move out?

We currently have twelve forwards with one way contracts plus Filatov, Daugavins, Da Costa, Hoffman and O’Brien pushing for their shot. By my count that makes seven or eight guys who will be competing for three top six vacancies. If you sign Zherdev who’s spot does he get?

by anothersensfan on Aug 1, 2011 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

I still like Zherdev :)

Daugavins has signed in the KHL. Hoffman and O’Brien will be in Bingo.
I think that Filatov will be good with Ottawa and I hope, after the hype after signing him, that Da Costa will surprise.
Michalek – Spezza – Butler
Filatov – Zherdev – Alfredsson
Regin – Da Costa – Foligno
Greening – Konopka – Neil

extras Winchester, Condra, Smith

by Death_from_Above on Aug 2, 2011 12:06 AM EDT reply actions

I don't think most NHL teams carry an entire line of scratches, though

It just doesn’t make sense to put Condra and Z. Smith on one-way, “Prove you’re an NHL player” deals and then bench them to find out if Zherdev is an NHL player as well. I like the guy, but I don’t believe that he’s significantly better than any of our other young prospects. This year is about finding out what we have, and we can’t do that if we’re bumping guys.

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by Mark Parisi on Aug 2, 2011 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

It's an interesting idea...

But it’s not the same as Filatov. Zherdev is 27 years old- and I’ve only known him in the NHL as playing right wing. Not sure if he ever has/could play center.
Filatov, on the other hand, is 21 and on the last year of an ELC. Moreover, taking a flyer on Filatov is picking up a player who is still very young, but has never been placed in a steady, ideal situation. Zherdev hasn’t been so much threshed around as he has…moped. Unquestionably a talented guy, but the lineup that you have above knocks off Winchester, Smith and Condra. They may not have as much offensive upside, but they have more solidified futures as roleplayers on the team.

by bobbykelly on Aug 2, 2011 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

Problem: He said that he would only sign with Winnipeg in the NHL.

by spatial.taxes on Aug 2, 2011 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

Did this actually happen?

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by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 3, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m still not 100% sure, but its too late now.

by spatial.taxes on Aug 3, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

It did

Strange it may be, but he said it. Winnipeg clearly wasn’t too intrigued.

by bobbykelly on Aug 3, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I can’t help but feel that he had a bad attitude.

by spatial.taxes on Aug 3, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Demoralizing

Brian Murry has made character a prerequisite to join the Sens. Zherdev simply doesn’t have the team first, never say die attitude we are looking for and expecting a 27 year old to undergo a miraculous transformation is beyond reason.

Most importantly, signing Zherdev would be a confusing and demoralizing slap in the face to all our guys who have proven their commitment to become Ottawa Senators.

by anothersensfan on Aug 2, 2011 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

Role players

I like this discussion.

The guys I am bumping are good players and good guys, but the one thing we need is talent. If he hasn’t played much centre….maybe moving him to the middle will ignite him. lol…then throw him on the left side and have Regin take over centre.

I don’t see how it would be a miraculous transformation if he becomes a team player. Or a slap to anyone’s face if he or any other player signs or gets traded to Ottawa at this point. Have Murray sit down with him like he did with Craig Anderson and see his side of the story and tell him what we expect.

Look at Anderson and the flak he got in Colorado when he left. There were rumblings he wasn’t a team player in Colorado. But with the great reception from the Ottawa fans and management and treating him with respect he responded and I think he will have a fantastic year in goal.

Yes he has said he would sign in Winnipeg, but he would sign here if offered a contract.

by Death_from_Above on Aug 3, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

I'm skeptical

I don’t know about the wisdom of having too many question marks at the same time. The Senators need to see if Filatov works out before taking a flyer on another misunderstood player.

by DW19 on Aug 3, 2011 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Oh. Zherdev just signed in the KHL? Well….he would have been a bum in Ottawa anyways. :D

by Death_from_Above on Aug 3, 2011 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

Ya, I don't get it?

Zherdev has proven he isn’t that consitent a player and obviously by the lack of significant offers he’s had over the last few years most NHL GM’s agree on that.

27, unmotivated and not a game breaker? No thanks. Character is important when talking about a player like that.

by OD99 on Aug 7, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions