Flyers' Zherdev arrested after alleged dispute in Russia

Flyers winger Nik Zherdev, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, was arrested in Russia after an incident with his wife, according to the Russian newspaper MK.

The newspaper said Zherdev, 26, smashed the Bentley his wife was driving with a metal rod and threatened her after an argument. The incident reportedly took place outside the restaurant where they had eaten.

The newspaper said witnesses heard him shouting threats to his wife.

Another newspaper, Sovietsky Sport, interviewed the restaurant's manager, who said security guards did not witness any incident.

MK reported that police were investigating the wife's "complaint about the threat of murder. However, in the opinion of the officers of the law, there are not enough grounds to hold the hockey player responsible for this charge, because the athlete apparently doesn't have reasons to wish death to his wife."

Zherdev and his wife, Evgeney, were married July 3.

Shortly after he signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Flyers on July 9, Zherdev talked about playing the previous season in Russia.

"I did find my wife, so right now I'm a happy man," Zherdev said in a conference call with reporters at the time. "I missed a season in the NHL but found my lady."

As for the alleged incident, the Flyers said they would not comment, and Zherdev's agent, Jay Grossman, did not return phone calls.

"We are aware of the reports, but until we have spoken to Nikolay and have more information, we will not comment," general manager Paul Holmgren said.

Zherdev, known as a loner, scored 16 goals in 56 games this season. He is not expected to be offered another contract by the Flyers.

A 27-goal scorer for Columbus in 2005-06, he has played on four teams in the last four years.