Thanks to loyal ally A2B for bringing the Zherdev rumors to our attention. The question I have, however, is do we really want him?
Zherdev is a decent player. In Colombus, he was the second big scoring threat behind Rick Nash. That's why the New York Rangers happily scooped him up last year in a trade for Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman. However, the Rangers soon learned that they hadn't actually swindled the Blue Jackets. In fact, Tyutin and Backman for Zherdev and Fritsche is pretty much a wash.
While it's nice that he can play on either wing, Zherdev really isn't anything more than a proven 20 goal scorer. That's right, I said 20, not 40. He's got decent size, pretty good puck handling skills and speed, but can only be expected to pot about 20-25 biscuits a year.
That's nothing to sneeze at, you say? Ok, given. But where do you put him? He can play either wing, so you can plug him in anywhere you find an opening in the lineup.
Top line? Let's see... I don't think you're going to get anyone to agree that he should be bump Kovy down to the second line, so he won't play left wing on that one. Right wing? Is he better than Antropov or Little? Probably not.
Ok, second line, then. Is he better than Slava Kozlov? Not unless our own Russian Sherlock shifts off of this mortal coil like he did two seasons ago. How about the right side then? Again, that's the position held by either Little or Antropov.
So we're down to putting Zherdev on the third line. Army is anchoring one side of that line with his own size and 20 goal reliability, and Marty the Party is working the faceoff dot. Everyone in the blogosphere has been penciling in a rotation of Kane/Stapleton/Crabb or some other combination of young talent in that spot.
Zherdev is a known entity that would solidify that third line. But can you get him for third line money? This team has a painful history of paying third line players first line money, and no one wants to return to the Bobby Holik days. I'd rather develop some young talent for $550-850k a year than to overpay Zherdev to fill that slot.
But by all means, if DW can convince him to take 1-2.25 million and play a third line role in John Anderson's system, then go for it.
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13 comments:
I like options. If you think we don't have room for a 20 goal scorer with some potential for more, I's thinks thats wrong.
The way I see it, you've got Kovy, Slava, Little, Antro, that are locks for the top 6.
Throw in White, Pevs, Army, Zherdev, Kane, to compete for the other two spots.
I'd do it.
True, and since Antro can play center, he could move between Kovy and Zherdev. Leave the Khalua line alone and put Pevs between the Party and Army on the third.
Shit if we can afford him why not?
One could move Slava to that third. Still use him on the power play considering that is where he got the majority of his points last year.
Manny Legacy is going to our camp as a try-out. Interesting...
Yeh saw that, you and I have been talking about him coming up maybe since he was put on waivers
Yesum Mr. Frenchy. We sure have. It looks as if our goalie situation this year is throw everything at the wall and hope SOMETHING sticks...
Finally some sanity in print w/r/t the Zherdev rumours. We don't need him and the risk to our team chemistry is too great IMHO. Sure it sounds great to put him on the RW of one of the top 2 lines, but we already have Peverley or Whitey trying to cover for Kovy's defensive lapses, an aging Kozlov who is a defensive liability at times but too valuable on the PP to potentially piss-off with 3rd line minutes, a big newcomer in Antro to work into the fold and a developing Little who needs to stay at RW to take advantage of speed and strength along the boards. Zherdev would make more sense if we had an opening in our Top 6, but we've already pushed Colby down to the 3rd line (where he belongs prolly), but then who else? Too risky with precious chemistry hanging in the balance.
I'm not sure where Zherdev would fit, but if we get him there's no way in hell he'd be playing on the third line.
I think it's possible that Slava could be moved to the third line, because 1) he's most productive on the power play anyway, and 2) we could then have the potential for 3 scoring lines.
And that, I suppose, leaves Evander Kane in Vancouver for another year.
The mind reels.
One does have to wonder if Kovy had something to do with this. I really wouldn't be surprised if he had a hand in getting him to talk to Waddell... sounds like Kovy knows something about Antro and Zherdev that that others don't.
What I'm most concerned with isn't Zherdev's work ethic or how he'll affect team chemistry or anything...it's if the "White Russian" line is still worthy of that nickname.
You know, since the guys starting on the first line would all be white Russians.
i think if it makes kovy happy then im all for it.
Goddamnit...do we need ANOTHER forward???
Can a brotha get some DEFENSIVE help, especially on the penalty kill???
Are we gonna have to outscore everybody 6-5???
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