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Nikolai Zherdev

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"Zherdev" redirects here. For other people with this surname, see Zherdev (surname).
Nikolay Zherdev
Zherdev with Atlant Moscow Oblast in 2011
Born (1984-11-05) November 5, 1984 (age 40)
Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shoots Right
KHL team
Former teams		 Free Agent
CSKA Moscow
Columbus Blue Jackets
Atlant Moscow Oblast
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Ak Bars Kazan
Spartak Moscow
Severstal Cherepovets
Dynamo Moscow
HC Sochi
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
Dinamo Riga
National team  Russia
NHL draft 4th overall, 2003
Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career 2002–present

Mykola Olehovych "Nikolay" Zherdev (Template:Lang-uk; born November 5, 1984) is a Ukrainian-Russian[1][2] professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Bratislava Capitals. He last played for Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.

Playing career

Early career

Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Zherdev began playing hockey at the age of four.[3] He began his training with the Sokil Kyiv junior hockey affiliate. Due to complications with organizing a team for his age group, he was pushed to play a year ahead with the 1983 born players; a group which included fellow future Ukrainian NHLer Anton Babchuk.[citation needed] Zherdev played in the 1998 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with his youth team from Kiev.[4] While playing in the tournament, Zherdev's team found itself competing against a team from Elektrostal, Russia. The rival team's coach, Ravil Iskhakov, took note of both Zherdev and Babchuk, and invited the pair to further their development with the Elemash Elektrostal hockey club of the Russian Major League, to which they accepted together.[5] The desire to play at a higher level came at a price: his nationality. In order to play in Russia, he would be forced to apply for Russian citizenship.[6]

CSKA Moscow

As his game progressed and professional teams began to take notice, Elektrostal received offers from the likes of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Ak Bars Kazan, and CSKA Moscow for Zherdev's services. He would accept an invitation for Elektrostal to loan him to the latter team, CSKA, citing a desire to train under esteemed coach Viktor Tikhonov.

Following being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Zherdev spent the entire 2002–03 season with CSKA, but in a controversial decision, he left for the NHL halfway through the 2003–04 season. He would, however, return to the Russian club during the 2004–05 NHL lockout, making peace.

Zherdev with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008

Columbus Blue Jackets

Zherdev was drafted by Columbus in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft with the fourth overall pick. At the time, Columbus general manager Doug MacLean stated that the team had Zherdev ranked number one on their draft list. The 2005–06 NHL season was a breakout year for Zherdev, who scored 27 goals and notched 27 assists in 73 games. He was the Blue Jackets' most potent offensive threat while Rick Nash recuperated from injury, and played most of the season on the team's first line.

The 2006–07 NHL season was a low point for Zherdev, as he struggled to score consistently and frequently clashed with the Jackets' coaching staff, leading to repeated rumors that he might be traded before the 2007–08 NHL season began. In response, Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson and then-coach Ken Hitchcock met Zherdev in a "clean-the-slate" meeting.[7] Following the meeting, Zherdev rediscovered success on the ice.[8]

Contract dispute

Contract negotiations with Blue Jackets management following the 2005–06 season became acrimonious. Zherdev threatened to remain in Russia for the season unless his demands were met, while Columbus insisted that Zherdev's salary demands were not commensurate with his accomplishments. On September 28, 2006, the parties finally agreed to a $7.5 million, three-year contract.[9]

New York Rangers

Zherdev with the Rangers in 2009

On July 2, 2008, Zherdev was traded by the Blue Jackets along with Dan Fritsche to the New York Rangers for defencemen Fedor Tyutin and Christian Bäckman.[10] In his first season with the Rangers, Zherdev tied for the team lead in points with Scott Gomez, scoring 58 points.

As a restricted free agent, Zherdev was tendered a qualifying offer of $3.25 million by the Rangers before the start of the 2009 free agency period so the team could retain his rights as the two sides negotiate.[11] Zherdev was awarded $3.9 million (USD) in arbitration, however, the New York Rangers chose to let Zherdev go.

KHL

The aforementioned walkaway made Zherdev an unrestricted free agent. Zherdev signed on September 15, 2009, a one-year contract for Atlant Moscow Oblast.[12]

NHL return

On July 9, 2010, Zherdev signed a one-year deal for $2 million with the Philadelphia Flyers, setting up his return to the NHL.[13] This NHL stint would last 56 games through one season as Zherdev did not garner the trust of Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette due to what the coach saw as lackadaisical effort and selfish play. For the majority of the season, Zherdev received limited ice time while playing the fourth line with very offensively limited linemates and rarely saw any power play time. Despite the lack of opportunities, Zherdev would manage a productive 16 goals, which included his 100th NHL goal. After the season the Flyers did not attempt to sign him to a contract extension.

Back to KHL

Following the 2010–11 season, Zherdev returned to Atlant Moscow Oblast. In the 2012–13, he was announced as the team Captain. He played in 39 games registering an impressive 37 points before he was traded to Ak Bars Kazan on January 15, 2013, to complete the season.


Zherdev representing Russia in 2012
Medal record
Representing Russia Russia
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 Helsinki {{{2}}}
Gold medal – first place 2009 Switzerland {{{2}}}
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2003 Canada {{{2}}}
World Under-18 Championships
Silver medal – second place 2002 Slovakia {{{2}}}

After signing a one-year deal with HC Lev Praha in July 2013, Zherdev celebrated at the Barvikha Luxury Village hotel in Moscow where things turned violent, according to a Russian news report.[14] Zherdev allegedly initiated a bar brawl at the hotel before crashing his Bentley Continental GT, which was later vandalized by locals who were outraged with his behaviour and scratched the words "scum", "bastard", and others into the vehicle's paint with nails.[15] Damage to the vehicle was allegedly valued at $30,000. Barvikha Luxury Village hotel staff also claimed Zherdev spent nights there with various women, prompting his wife, Eugenia, to file for divorce.[14] Zherdev also lost his passport as a result of the incident, meaning that he could not fly to his new team's training camp in Finland.[16]

He was released from his contract with Lev and on September 24, 2013, he was signed to a one-year contract with HC Spartak Moscow.[17] After failing to score a goal in 16 games with the club, he was released by the team in mid-November before accepting a short-term deal with HC Severstal.

On July 14, 2014, Zherdev continued his journeyman career, in agreeing to a one-year contract with HC Dynamo Moscow for the 2014–15 season.[18]

International play

Nikolai Zherdev represented Russia at the 2002 U-18 World Junior Championships, helping that country to a silver medal. He finished the tournament with 6 goals, 5 assists, 11 points in 8 games (third best on his team, behind only Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin).

Zherdev also played at the 2003 U-20 World Junior Championships, registering only one assist in six games, playing a minor role in Russia's quest for the gold medal.

He was named captain of Team Russia for the 2004 World Juniors, but did not play after departing for the NHL.

Personal

Zherdev is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian, and can speak limited English.[19] His family lives in Kiev.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–2000 Elemash–2 Elektrostal RUS.3 21 10 7 17 26 7 0 0 0 0
2000–01 Elemash Elektrostal RUS.2 18 6 8 14 12 — — — — —
2001–02 Elemash–2 Elektrostal RUS.3 1 1 0 1 4 — — — — —
2001–02 Elemash Elektrostal RUS.2 53 13 15 28 62 — — — — —
2002–03 CSKA Moscow RSL 44 12 12 24 34 — — — — —
2003–04 CSKA Moscow RSL 20 2 2 4 14 — — — — —
2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 57 13 21 34 54 — — — — —
2004–05 CSKA Moscow RSL 51 19 21 40 62 — — — — —
2005–06 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 73 27 27 54 50 — — — — —
2005–06 Syracuse Crunch AHL 2 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2006–07 Khimik Moscow Oblast RSL 8 2 4 6 10 — — — — —
2006–07 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 71 10 22 32 26 — — — — —
2007–08 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 82 26 35 61 34 — — — — —
2008–09 New York Rangers NHL 82 23 35 58 39 7 0 0 0 2
2009–10 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 52 13 26 39 79 4 0 1 1 4
2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 56 16 6 22 22 8 1 2 3 2
2011–12 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 35 9 16 29 60 4 0 1 1 4
2012–13 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 39 13 24 37 20 — — — — —
2012–13 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 11 2 4 6 9 18 2 6 8 0
2013–14 Spartak Moscow KHL 16 0 7 7 2 — — — — —
2013–14 Severstal Cherepovets KHL 17 3 3 6 26 — — — — —
2014–15 Dynamo Moscow KHL 47 6 16 22 38 2 0 1 1 2
2015–16 HC Sochi KHL 26 3 4 7 12 — — — — —
2015–16 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod KHL 23 4 10 14 8 11 3 2 5 20
2016–17 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod KHL 54 8 21 29 24 3 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk KHL 2 0 1 1 6 — — — — —
2017–18 Dinamo Riga KHL 18 3 2 5 4 — — — — —
2019–20 HC Ryazan VHL 9 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
RSL totals 123 35 39 74 120 — — — — —
NHL totals 421 115 146 261 225 15 1 2 3 4
KHL totals 358 71 142 213 302 50 8 11 19 56

International

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2002 Russia U17 6th 5 1 4 5 6
2002 Russia WJC18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 8 6 5 11 22
2003 Russia WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 0 1 1 2
2009 Russia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3 0 1 1 0
2012 Russia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 4 6 2
Junior totals 19 7 10 17 30
Senior totals 13 2 5 7 2

Awards and achievements

References

  1. ^ Kelley, Jim (2003-12-09). "Zherdev's day off 'intentional'". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  2. ^ "Interview with Zherdev". beyondtheblueshirts.com. 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  3. ^ http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?article_id=118
  4. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2009-05-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-10-12. Retrieved 2009-10-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ Portzline, Aaron (2007-08-30). "New GM breaks the ice with Zherdev". dispatch.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  8. ^ Reed, Tom (2007-11-19). "Jackets notebook: Zherdev too good for words". dispatch.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  9. ^ "Blue Jackets re-sign Zherdev". TSN.ca. 2006. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
  10. ^ "Columbus send Zherdev to the Rangers". TSN.ca. 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  11. ^ Brooks, Larry (2009-06-28). "Offer for Zherdev, Antropov likely out". New York Post. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
  12. ^ НИКОЛАЙ ЖЕРДЕВ ВЕРНУЛСЯ В МЫТИЩИ Archived 2010-02-01 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Flyers sign right wing Zherdev". Philadelphia Flyers. 2010-07-09. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  14. ^ a b QMI Agency (August 2, 2013). "Nikolai Zherdev brawls, crashes Bentley: Report". Québecor Média. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  15. ^ LifeNews.ru (August 2, 2013). "Hockey player Zherdev broke Bentley, noting the contract". LifeNews.ru. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  16. ^ SovSport.ru (August 2, 2013). "Athletic Director "Leo": The contract with Zherdev are not going to dissolve". SovSport.ru. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  17. ^ "Nikolay Zherdev - new Spartak acquisition" (in Russian). HC Spartak Moscow. 2013-09-24. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  18. ^ "Жердев заключил контракт с "Динамо" на один год - агент хоккеиста" [Zherdev signed a one-year contract with Dynamo - hockey player's agent] (in Russian). rusport.ru. 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
  19. ^ "Zherdev shows his diversity". atlant-mo.ru. 2013-01-02. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick
2003 		Succeeded by
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