Hindsight 13/13
by Clint Clark on Aug 11, 2009 7:30 PM EDT
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When Scott Howson dealt enigmatic winger Nikolai Zherdev along with Dan Fritsche for Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin, our GM was raked over the coals in hockey circles. When Zherdev jumped to a fast start and led the league in scoring, the general consensus was that we got bent over on the deal. Tyutin's terrible start didn't help matters. Zherdev began a series of uneven play and with the midseason change to John Tortorella, his play did not come back strong. He earned bench splinters in the post season averaging less than 9 minutes a game.
Meanwhile, Tyutin became a strong top four contributor who played well in all three zones.
I think given a chance with a strong head coach, Z could blossom to become a good all around sniper. He'd never be a Selke finalist, but he could be a player in all three zones. As he's getting older, he could be getting wiser, but it all soon may not matter.
The news reports today is that Zherdev is close to signing in the KHL. When Radulov jumped ship last season, I was only waiting to read that Z was going to follow suit. Z has his roots dug deeply in Russia with his family and friends and it always seemed in his time here, that he was far away from home. For his own personal well-being, I hope he makes the right choice. I harbor no ill feelings for Z. Sure his play was more inconsistent than we'd have liked, but I truly think he is one of the most misunderstood players in the league.
The situation obvious and Howson read it correctly. He had to pick up the tab on Backman, but we got a quality defender on an affordable contract. If Tyutin continues to improve, this deal will only look better. I don't think New York made a bad move on Z and I don't think if another NHL team makes an offer for him that it would be a bad deal either. Howson say clearly that we were loaded on the wings and Z was the one that didn't fit into the team plans.
Hours after this deal, Howson signed Kristian Huselius which replicated the production we missed with Z. That was the signing that sold me on the deal. Essentially we "signed" Fedor Tyutin to a sweetheart contract when the rest of the D market dried up.
Irregardless of your opinion of Zherdev, he will have a permanent place in CBJ lore. Here is the PLAY (before the Rick Nash PLAY)
Nikolai Zherdev amazing goal against Blackhawks (via Puuhanakka)
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Interesting note
I received an ESPN text alert last night saying Z signed with Salavat Yulayev Ufa of the KHL. However, it appears that the story is not true. According to http://www.thekhl.net/ Salavat assistant coach Igor Zakharkin is saying the rumor was planted by Zherdev’s agent as a ploy.
So Z still doesn’t have a home…yet. Just about any destination is up for grabs for him now. If he does sign in the KHL, I’d like to see him play alongside Sergei Fedorov for Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Who could possibly be a better mentor for the young winger?
Another interesting piece of information, the KHL website also reported that Jason Williams was considering signing with the Russian league. Obviously this isn’t true given his one-year deal with Detroit.
"It’s tough," Martinez said. "This is my house. This is my home."
We'll miss you, Vic
Props for the “irregardless” drop. I’m assuming an “American Dad” reference?
I love watching Zherdev play. He’s one of the best stick-handlers I’ve ever seen. I just don’t think he ever got omfortable here in the U.S. Perhaps he’ll play in Russia for a bit and venture back here in a few years.
Anywhere he goes, he’ll be fun to watch. Too bad he didn’t work out here in Columbus.
And another thing
LEAST threatening picture ever. I digress…
Definitely a top 2 goal in franchise history, but could it be the best ever? It’s quite obvious that Nash’s goal against Phoenix is the other. Let’s break it down:
Nash goal:
-occured in the final :30 of the game
-tied the game
-maneuvered through 2 defenders and the goalie to score
-blocked the pass to set up the outlet from Peca
Zherdev goal:
-occured in the final :30 of the game
-tied the game
-maneuvered through 3, possibly 4, and maybe even all 5 defenders and the goalie to score
-took the puck end to end by himself
I’m not taking anything away from either of the goals but I think Z worked a little bit harder to get his. If you watch the videos, Z skates around the back of the empty net, past one Blackhawk. He moves past the blueline in the Hawks end and splits 2 others. Next he skates inside another defender with the puck, shoots, and almost gets blocked by the 5 player on the ice. The puck squeezes past Khabibulin and into the net.
Nash blocks a pass from Morris, then begins to skate up ice. Peca chips it ahead to him where he splits 2 defenders, skates behind one, then toe drags twice. The goalie gets a piece of the puck as Nash skates in front of the crease. He gathers the rebound, settles it down and shoots into the virtually empty net.
Either way you look at it, these are the two best goals in franchise history. Your call.
"It’s tough," Martinez said. "This is my house. This is my home."
We'll miss you, Vic
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Aug 12, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions
Nash’s goal was the game-winner. Phoenix had tied the game with a PP goal while Nash was in the box.
His goal wins based on the fact the it was the team leader redeeming himself. Not to mention it was named play of the year by TSN and every other reputable media source.
well
egg on my face…
"It’s tough," Martinez said. "This is my house. This is my home."
We'll miss you, Vic
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Aug 12, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
and my life is now complete. haha…
Is it September yet??
"It’s tough," Martinez said. "This is my house. This is my home."
We'll miss you, Vic
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Aug 14, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Howson took a ton of flack
from seemingly everyone, including myself, for trading Zherdev for Tyutin. But in the end, he got the last laugh. Tyutin is a great player who is very cost effective. The Rangers miss him.
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