Nikolai Olegovich Zherdev (Russian: Николай Олегович Жердев; born November 5, 1984 in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union) is a professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. Despite being Ukrainian he holds Russian citizenship as well.[1]
Prior to NHL
Originally from Kiev, Ukraine, Zherdev moved to Elektrostal, Russia to join local hockey club, Kristal. Skated for Kristal before moving up to the Russian Super League's (Russia 1) HC CSKA Red Army club. Zherdev spent the entire 2002–03 season with HC CSKA, but left for the NHL half way through the 2003–04 season in a controversial decision, he would however return to the Russian club during the 2004–05 NHL lockout, making peace.
NHL career
Zherdev was drafted by Columbus in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft with the 4th overall pick. At the time, Columbus GM Doug MacLean stated that the team had Zherdev ranked #1 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, new Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson and coach Ken Hitchcock met Zherdev in a "clean-the-slate" meeting.[2] Zherdev has since rediscovered success on the ice.[3]
On July 2, 2008, Zherdev was traded by the Blue Jackets along with Dan Fritsche to the New York Rangers for defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman.[4]
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.[5]
International play
Nikolai Zherdev represented Russia at the 2002 U-18 World Junior Championships, helping his 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 Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin).
Zherdev also played at the 2003 U-20 World Junior Championships, registering only 1 assist in 6 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.
Career statistics
| |
|
Regular Season |
|
Playoffs |
| Season |
Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
P |
+/- |
PIM |
GP |
G |
A |
P |
+/- |
PIM |
| 1999–00 |
Elemash-2 Elektrostal |
RSL-3 |
21 |
10 |
7 |
17 |
– |
26 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2000–01 |
Elemash Elektrostal |
RSL-2 |
18 |
6 |
8 |
14 |
-5 |
12 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2001–02 |
Elemash-2 Elektrostal |
RSL-3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
– |
4 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2001–02 |
Elemash Elektrostal |
RSL-2 |
53 |
13 |
15 |
28 |
-6 |
62 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2002–03 |
CSKA Moscow |
RSL |
44 |
12 |
12 |
24 |
6 |
34 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2003–04 |
CSKA Moscow |
RSL |
20 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
– |
14 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2003–04 |
Columbus Blue Jackets |
NHL |
57 |
13 |
21 |
34 |
-11 |
54 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2004–05 |
CSKA Moscow |
RSL |
51 |
19 |
21 |
40 |
– |
62 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2005–06 |
Columbus Blue Jackets |
NHL |
73 |
27 |
27 |
54 |
-13 |
50 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2005–06 |
Syracuse Crunch |
AHL |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2006–07 |
Mytishi Khimik |
RSL |
8 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
– |
10 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2006–07 |
Columbus Blue Jackets |
NHL |
71 |
10 |
22 |
32 |
-19 |
26 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| 2007–08 |
Columbus Blue Jackets |
NHL |
82 |
26 |
35 |
61 |
-9 |
34 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| NHL Totals |
283 |
76 |
105 |
181 |
-52 |
164 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Awards & achievements
References
External links
|
Columbus Blue Jackets first-round draft picks |
|
|
|
|
|
