Personality Has Zherdev Still Looking For NHL Work
In his short time with the Flyers, Nik Zherdev surprisingly validated himself and his $2 million dollar salary in a number of ways.
With 16 goals and six assists in 56 games, while coming in-and-out of the lineup, it was proven that in limited time and on a short and critical leash, he can be a serious offensive threat.
Dressed by fickle and demanding coach Peter Laviolette in eight playoff games, it was also proven that when pushed and given time, he will show palpable effort and might even display a dash of competitiveness and defensive application.
It what the combination of honest effort and flashes of high-end talent that earned him mild favor from typically stingy Philadelphians, who, for the most part, wouldn’t have blinked at the chance to see him back in a scoring role.
But if Zherdev flashed the offensive skills to compete in the NHL and put forth legitimate effort on the defensive side and in his on-ice work ethic with the Flyers — why is the 26-year-old unrestricted free agent being ignored by teams around the NHL?
Maybe it comes down to just being unlikable.
With the Flyers, Zherdev did his best to fit in on the ice and could even be seen joking with the likes of Dan Carcillo or talking in his native Russian to Sergei Bobrovsky. But other than the rare quip to teammates after practice, he did nothing to fit in away from the rink.
“[Zherdev was] kind of an outsider here,” general manager Paul Holmgren told the media after last season. “I think some of that is a language barrier and I think some of that is just how he is. I asked him yesterday why he had a car service all year. Why wouldn’t you ask one of your teammates to give you a ride? He’s just a different guy.”
He was different. He was a loner that never assimilated to the team. In an organization where players and management are considered family, Zherdev, who spoke English but rarely talked to the media because of chronic shyness, was a distant cousin with no blood relation. It seemed more-and-more that for Zherdev, Philadelphia was just a rest stop. The Flyers were a stepping stone to whatever it was he would rather be doing.
The perception of Zherdev was one of a goal-scoring mercenary. No allegiance, just money.
That philosophy and personality would be considered fine for the NBA or the NFL. But Zherdev was in the NHL — a league that heralds the personable and expects a humble but open demeanor from its players. Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic, Jeremy Roenick, Tim Thomas, Teemu Selanne, are all kings of the game. It’s not just about embracing hockey on the ice, but off of it.
And that’s where Zherdev is lacking.
The Kiev-born winger is viewed around the league as enigmatic in his on-ice play — never embracing his full potential. Off the pond it’s the same, as he has developed a reputation for being spoiled and selfish. It’s what saw him leave the Columbus Blue Jackets after four seasons and eventually depart the New York Rangers for the KHL after one. Yet, he was neither with the Flyers, simply distant and quiet. He worked hard, didn’t complain and pulled his part of the rope when asked.
So when reports surface that Zherdev will join the KHL once again if no NHL steps up to the plate and offers him a contract, the curious will ask why no NHL team fells confident enough to take number on a near 20-goal-scorer in his prime?
The reason could be that general managers around the league want a brother in arms, not a soldier of fortune.
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