Yahoo’s Dmitry Chesnokov reported on Wednesday that former Flyers right winger Nikolay Zherdev is headed back to the KHL because he couldn’t find the offer he was looking for to stay in the NHL. Zherdev will join Alex Kovalev to play for the Atlant Mytishch.
Zherdev had his moments with the Flyers in 2010, but ultimately his time in Philadelphia will be remembered for being in head coach’s Peter Laviolette’s dog house more often than dressing for games.
The 26-year-old recorded 16 goals and tallied six assists in 56 games while only averaging 12:51 minutes of ice time per game. His numbers show that he has the talent to be a productive goal scorer in this league given more ice time, however his lackadaisical attitude prevents him from reaching his full potential.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren told Philly Sports Daily’s Ryan Bright that Zherdev “was kind of an outsider here.” In response, Zherdev fired back at Holmgren, and called out Laviolette in an interview with Broad Street Hockey’s Teemu.
For any hockey fan, it’s hard not to notice Zherdev’s ability with the puck and how it should translate into a superstar in the NHL, but sometimes the talent’s there but the work ethic and the attitude isn’t.
That’s the case with Zherdev.
The Flyers gave him another shot at the NHL last year, and he blew it. Now, he finds himself headed back to his native land to play hockey. He had interest from other NHL teams, but not for the money he was looking for.
Zherdev’s playing days in North America are likely over. At least for the time being.
Tom Dougherty
Chris DiFrancesco
