Zherdev clears waivers
Daily News Flyers blog
Zherdev clears waivers
Nik Zherdev has cleared waivers.
Despite reported interest from Atlanta and Nashville, no team was willing to take a flier on Zherdev and his 15 goals, despite just having to pay him $494,624 for the remainder of the season.
Zherdev posted 15 goals in 47 games with the Flyers before being waived on Wednesday at noon by the Flyers, at the request of Zherdev and his agent, Jay Grossman.
Grossman told the Daily News that his camp had not been given permission to speak to other teams about Zherdev’s availability and they had not requested permission to do so, either.
Now, the Flyers will need to decide what they do with Zherdev for the remainder of the season.
Zherdev can either be assigned to the Adirondack Phantoms or remain with the Flyers. He would come off the Flyers’ salary cap if assigned to Adirondack, allowing them to bring in another forward or defenseman before the Feb. 28 trade deadline.
Paul Holmgren said on Wednesday that he still liked the idea of Zherdev as an “insurance policy” in case one of his skilled players were to be injured.
Despite Holmgren’s claim that Zherdev’s situation had eroded with the Flyers, Grossman said he did not believe Zherdev’s status with the Flyers was damaged beyond repair.
[UPDATE: 2:05 pm] One team source said Thursday afternoon that the Flyers are currently planning on keeping Zherdev on the active roster through the trade deadline to weigh their options before making a decision.
Zherdev has been a healthy scratch for six straight games, but he curiously participated in the Flyers' optional morning skate on Thursday.
Depending on the Flyers' decision, Zherdev also has the option to not report back to the Flyers (or Phantoms) and head home to Russia, at which point Zherdev would not only come off the Flyers’ salary cap but the Flyers would also not be responsible for the remainder of his salary. That would likely spell the end to Zherdev's NHL career, though.
It was a big change from his surprising exit on Wednesday, when Zherdev smiled as he left through a side door at the Flyers’ training center before being whisked away in a limousine.
BOB IN NET: One day after being questioned about Sergei Bobrovsky’s puck handling skills after a questionable night in net against the Coyotes on Tuesday, coach Peter Laviolette is going back to Bobrovsky for his second straight start.
It is the first time that Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher have not alternated starts in six games.
Bobrovsky will face former first round pick Al Montoya. The Flyers have lost to the Islanders just twice since 2007.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
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My money is on Z going back to Russis— fig- Heard Z was at the optional morning skate at the WFC. Why would he do that if he's going back to Russia? Not sure how much sense that makes but this is Zherdev we're talking about here! All that talent and no work ethic...what a shame!— aantny88
- Heard Z was at the optional morning skate at the WFC. Why would he do that if he's going back to Russia? Not sure how much sense that makes but this is Zherdev we're talking about here! All that talent and no work ethic...what a shame!— aantny88
- No defense. No Team play. Flight to Russia.— michaeldhockeyguy
- well, at least we could find him this time— suckitpens
- $2M buys a lot of Genny Cream Ale. Stay thirsty my friend.— hunglikeaton
- I wouldn't say he has 'no work ethic.' Frankly, I could care less how hard he works if he produces. The problem is that he often makes careless mistakes. Being sexy with the puck is great when you're not making mistakes and creating opportunities for the opposition. I'm still not sure how Shelley in the lineup every night trumps having Zherdev around even if it's only for the PP or a shift here or there, particularly when Carcillo is dressing, too. Hey, whatever. It's hard to complain given the results this season. The good news is that they have options now that he's cleared waivers.— sklandog
- Hopefully, He will now know defintively no team wants to deal with his garbage and if he wants an NHL career, he will get with Lavy's program and help us win the CUP. It may happen who knows?— debbyt
- zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz— Inchon
- Put a skirt on him and let him skate with the Ice Capades.— alihajishank
- Did he really drink a lot of Schenley whiskey? Did Zherdev hang out down town drinking whiskey and smoking cigars at Mahogany?— path525
- Did he really drink a lot of Schenley whiskey? Did Zherdev hang out down town drinking whiskey and smoking cigars at Mahogany?— path525
- He was "schooled and motivated" by being rejected back to Russia once before. It didn't work, which is why he's still having the same conversation. Since that didn't do it, a trip unchosen through waivers won't mean a thing to him. I'd say send him to Adirondack, but why punish the Phantoms? This isn't their fault.— icarus
- Dasvidaniya "Z"— phlyersfan
Everybody knows the old saying: "A leopard can't change his spots."
I just don't think Zherdev will ever understand that despite his offensive magic, winning in the playoffs is mostly about hard work and defense.
