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Problems with Zherdev Already
by Patrick Hoffman on 09/21/08 at 01:20 PM ET
Comments (6)
I know that the regular season hasn’t even started yet but it’s a little bit disheartening to read negative reports coming out of training camp on new Rangers’ acquisition Nikolai Zherdev.
Sam Weinman of The Journal News reported that a Zherdev giveaway at Friday’s practice led to an opposing team goal and that he pretty much comes as advertised: a talented forward who is trying to do too much.
Larry Brooks of The New York Post also took his turn on reporting on Zherdev’s disappointing training camp session reporting that Zherdev stood out in Thursday’s practice for all the wrong reasons as he didn’t play with any kind of urgency, took short cuts during the morning scrimmage and had trouble moving the puck with any kind of purpose.
Rangers’ management better hope that this is Zherdev just trying to fit in with a new team because if this is the same Zherdev coming from Columbus, the one who is known to take nights off, the Blueshirts could be in trouble.
With this report, I’m reminded of a few former Rangers who were like this: Alexei Kovalev and Pavel Brendl. When Kovalev first started out with the Rangers in the 1992-93 season, he had all the skills needed to succeed in the NHL: size, speed and great hands. However, Alex sometimes tried to do too much with the puck, didn’t always skate back on defense and took a lot of lazy penalties.
Brendl was a whole different story and his problems were exposed in his first day of training camp. He didn’t come to camp in shape, he was selfish with the puck and it ultimately led the Rangers to trade him in August of 2001 for Eric Lindros (remember him?).
Zherdev needs to come to his senses and realize that being lazy won’t cut it in the Big Apple. New Yorkers know when their players are giving them everything they’ve got and they know when they’re being cheated.
Hopefully, Zherdev will figure out what it means to be a New York Ranger and that he must begin to hustle, play with purpose and pride every single day until the season is over.
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Tags: Alexei+Kovalev, Eric+Lindros, Nikolai+Zherdev, Pavel+Brendl,
Comments
Hopefully, Zherdev will figure out what it means to be a New York Ranger and that he must begin to hustle, play with purpose and pride every single day until the season is over.
If that’s what Rangers fans are truly expecting, then they’re really going to be disappointed in Wade Redden.
Posted by Steve on 09/21/08 at 01:18 PM ET
Incredible timing, I just shared this info on Bethany’s blog.
Spooky!
Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 09/21/08 at 01:22 PM ET
I’m also a bit worried about Wade Redden. One Rangers’ beat writer said that while he hasn’t been bad, he hasn’t been great either.
Hopfully, these guys will get it once the season begins.
Posted by Patrick Hoffman from White Plains, NY on 09/21/08 at 02:10 PM ET
are you people serious its the 1st. pre season game thats what sickens me about you anti-ranger people any chance to bash you are there!!!!! zherdev is going to be fine playing in n.y. as i recall we won a cup w/ alex kovalev palying an integral part. zherdev will score 35 to 40 goals this season… dubinsky is a star in the making this team is on the right path to a cup in the near future!!!!! LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!
Posted by liltedspop on 09/21/08 at 08:08 PM ET
I am certainly not an anti-Ranger basher. I was merely reporting what other beat writers have said about him. Does it mean I agree with them? No, however, based on reports of how he was in Columbus, this news does not surprise me.
I do feel, however, that he will shine on Broadway this season. Playing with two top-notch linemates will certainly give him opportunities to score and become a better player.
Posted by Patrick Hoffman from White Plains, NY on 09/21/08 at 08:17 PM ET
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Zherdev needs to come to his senses and realize that being lazy won’t cut it in the Big Apple. New Yorkers know when their players are giving them everything they’ve got and they know when they’re being cheated.
So do Jackets fans…it didn’t do any good for us. He was great last year, so hopefully he is just off to a rough start.
Posted by Bethany on 09/21/08 at 01:08 PM ET