I've watched Zherdev a lot, and I've never seen anything that puts him on Gagne's level. Just because he is Russian doesn't make him the next Mogilny.
You watched a 21-24 year old kid. He's going to be 26 this season and hitting his prime. Overall gagne is a much better player and always will be but as far as offensive talent, the kid is like a giroux with the puck on his stick. I'm just hoping he's matured and improved this past year and is ready to show why he deserves a big long term contract.
IF he plays to his abilities on the top line. His motivation is the key factor. He wont produce anything if he doesnt get his head outta his @ss, but if he does, then you will grow to like him.
17, 41, 31, 27, 38, 40, 33.... what are those numbers? Rick Nash's goal totals.
If Zherdev was "miles" ahead of Gagne, then it wouldn't be a factor. You can get your numbers playing for bad teams. Zherdev is a better stickhandler than Gagne, but he has not displayed better offensive talent at any point in his career than Gagne has shown.
You are comparing Rick Nash to Zherdev. Just figured Id point that out.
And I dont like the signing personally. I wouldve rather just traded Carle, got some picks or prospects and signed Turco.
I dont find Zherdev in this situation appealing, but we signed him and we have to live with it now.
You are comparing Rick Nash to Zherdev. Just figured Id point that out.
And I dont like the signing personally. I wouldve rather just traded Carle, got some picks or prospects and signed Turco.
I dont find Zherdev in this situation appealing, but we signed him and we have to live with it now.
I'm not comparing Rick Nash to Zherdev, I'm refuting your excuse for Zherdev's production v. Gagne's and using that to claim that Zherdev is "miles ahead" of Gagne offensively.
They both had disappointing 22 y/o seasons, but Gagne put up 5 less points in 25 less games. The following year Gagne was playing a checking role for the club, and then came back and put up 47 goals after the lockout.
I'm sorry, but please put away the Russophile glasses for a moment, and live with us here in reality.
Exatly my point. Zherdev has flashes of skill, but you'll find out his defensive liability when he leaves his man open in the slot. You can hope for Zherdev to equal Gagne's production, but you'll definitely be disappointed.
I'm not saying this as a huge fan of Gagne. I'm saying this as a hockey fan from Kentucky who was forced to watch Columbus for Zherdev's entire tenure there. I literally watched every game that was on TV, watched Zherdev closely because of all the hype FS Ohio built for him, and was continually let down.
No...he's bang on. If Zherdev is motivated and plays to his ability he'll explode on this team. The stretch passes and room that some of our guys get would have been a dream for Zherdev on the Jackets or Rags. If we get a happy Zherdev, I'll be a happy camper.
You may be onto something here. For once, it will be nice to have a Flyer forward with breakaway speed who is more than capable of burying a 1on1 with the goalie. Someone other than Briere. We missed so many breakaway and 2on1 chances last year.
You may be onto something here. For once, it will be nice to have a Flyer forward with breakaway speed who is more than capable of burying a 1on1 with the goalie. Someone other than Briere. We missed so many breakaway and 2on1 chances last year.
Well, Carter, JVR, Briere, and to an extent, Gagne and Giroux, all have that kind of high-flying offensive capability.
Zherdev is just an addition to the arsenal. You can say what you want about his defensive play, but he's another dynamic offensive weapon.
With a horde of capable offensive weapons to take pressure off him, there's no reason he can't take advantage of his situation here.
I really don't understand where all the stories of Zherdev being a cancer or bad teammate are coming from. Even during his time in Columbus, his teammates never said anything bad about him, just that he was a bit of a loner because no one else in the organization at the time spoke Russian and he was the only Russian. Funny that when Hitch got to town, he had nothing but good things to say about Zherdev and even when Zherdev left, Hitch had nothing but good things to say about his time with Nik. As for Doug MacLean, this was the same guy who sold the world to Zherdev and when the team didn't improve under MacLean and Zherdev called MacLean on it, only then did Zherdev become difficult to deal with.
As for the situation in New York, he wasn't a dog there. He was one of the better players there. Unfortunately, Sather needed a scapegoat for the Rangers problems and Zherdev was the perfect goat because he went to arbitration. Funny that none of the "Sather" guys like Redden, Gomez, Drury or anyone of that ilk didn't face the music like Zherdev did. They were all making anywhere from to 3 to 3 and half times the money that Zherdev made, but they all got a walk. Nope, it's all 100% Zherdev's fault.
Honestly, the crap the people spew about Zherdev is nothing more than misinformed garbage.
Well, Carter, JVR, Briere, and to an extent, Gagne and Giroux, all have that kind of high-flying offensive capability.
Zherdev is just an addition to the arsenal. You can say what you want about his defensive play, but he's another dynamic offensive weapon.
With a horde of capable offensive weapons to take pressure off him, there's no reason he can't take advantage of his situation here.
How many times did you see the above mentioned players whiff, miss, or completely fail on a breakaway or 2on1 this yr? So, so many. Hopefully, if Zherdev brings anything to the table at all, it's that ability.
I noticed something, with 12 forwards (including Gagne and Zherdev is at 2M), 6 d-men and 2 goalies, we are $272,262 over the cap. I really wish we could get rid of someone small...
I noticed something, with 12 forwards (including Gagne and Zherdev is at 2M), 6 d-men and 2 goalies, we are $272,262 over the cap. I really wish we could get rid of someone small...
PLAYER BONUS CAP HIT
FORWARDS
Daniel Briere — $6,500,000
Mike Richards — $5,750,000
Simon Gagne — $5,250,000
Jeff Carter — $5,000,000
Scott Hartnell — $4,200,000
* Nikolai Zherdev — $2,000,000
James Van Riemsdyk ($637,500) $1,654,167
Ian Laperriere — $1,166,667
Jody Shelley — $1,100,000
Claude Giroux — $821,667
Ville Leino — $800,000
Blair Betts — $700,000
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen — $6,333,333
Chris Pronger — $4,921,429
Andrej Meszaros — $4,000,000
Matt Carle — $3,437,500
Braydon Coburn — $3,200,000
Sean O'Donnell ($300,000) $1,300,000
GOALTENDERS
Michael Leighton — $1,550,000
Brian Boucher — $925,000
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
ROSTER SIZE 20
SALARY CAP $59,400,000
PAYROLL $60,609,762
BONUSES $937,500 CAP SPACE $-272,262
Seriously, any idea OUTSIDE of Gagne could be gone? I still feel that Hartnell can be replaced by Maroon if he does well during camp.
Offensively, he probably is pretty dang close to Gagne's talent level. I'd take Gagne 10 times out of 10 over Zherdev of course, but he has the ability to replace Gagne's offensive production for a cheaper price if we do indeed trade Simon. I still hope that doesn't happen though. Trade Carle, Homer! Please!
??? If you're talking talent level alone, Zherdev is more skilled than Gagne by a good bit.
I noticed something, with 12 forwards (including Gagne and Zherdev is at 2M), 6 d-men and 2 goalies, we are $272,262 over the cap. I really wish we could get rid of someone small...
Teams can be up to 10% over the cap at the moment.
Obviously there are other moves on the way but, if it came down to it, a guy like Shelley could be buried with the Phantoms and the Flyers could roll with who they have on the roster as of today.... I say this as a reassurance to myself that Gagne will retire having played all of his NHL games with the Flyers.... <sigh>
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