Flyers Notes: Flyers' Zherdev finds himself on fourth line

Nik Zherdev

did not sign a $2 million free-agent contract in the off-season to be a fourth-line player.

But that's just where the Flyers' explosive right winger found himself at the start of Monday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

In the Flyers' previous game, a 5-4 win over Washington on Saturday, coach Peter Laviolette replaced Zherdev with James van Riemsdyk on Mike Richards' line. Van Riemsdyk played well in that game, and he remained on Richards' line when Monday's game began.

Entering the game, Zherdev was fifth on the Flyers with seven goals and was on a 27-goal pace.

It's no secret the Flyers want Zherdev to be more defensively responsible, and they are probably hoping some of the defensive habits of fourth-liners Blair Betts and Jody Shelley rub off on him.

That said, Betts was intrigued to have a player with Zherdev's offensive talents on his line.

"Jody and I were talking today, saying he'll kind of be a breath of fresh air in the offensive zone," Betts said before the game. "He's a guy you can give the puck to, and he's someone who's able to make plays and handle the puck a little more."

Van Riemsdyk had spent some time on the fourth line recently.

"I felt the same way with van Riemsdyk on our line," Betts said. "He's a guy with a lot more skill than we're used to seeing on the fourth line."

Zherdev was unavailable before the game.

The Flyers recalled speedy winger

Eric Wellwood

from the AHL Phantoms, but he was scratched from Monday's lineup.

"He's here because we've got a busy schedule coming up," Laviolette said, "and it gives us an extra forward as we make decisions on the lineup."

It also puts pressure on Zherdev and van Riemsdyk to perform.

After more than 43 years as a city landmark, the venerable Spectrum will be hit with a wrecking ball Tuesday after a noon ceremony attended by Flyers chairman

Ed Snider,

former Flyers greats

Bernie Parent

and

Bob Clarke,

and ex-76ers star

Julius Erving

.

The public is invited to the free event.

After not starting for 12 straight games, goalie

Brian Boucher

made his second consecutive start. . . . Goalie

Michael Leighton,

trying to get back into playing shape following back surgery, still isn't ready for a rehab assignment with the Phantoms, general manager

Paul Holmgren

said. . . . The Flyers entered Monday leading the NHL with 75 goals. They were 11th in the 30-team league with 53 goals allowed.

- Sam Carchidi