Zherdev decision soon?

I read on another board from a credible poster in Russia saying that a deal has been set that Zherdev will be playing for Russia in the WJC, then he is free to be with Columbus for the rest of the season. Has anyone else heard this? Is it even possible for Zherdev to play for Russia this soon? It's only one week till the games start.

I read on another board from a credible poster in Russia saying that a deal has been set that Zherdev will be playing for Russia in the WJC, then he is free to be with Columbus for the rest of the season. Has anyone else heard this? Is it even possible for Zherdev to play for Russia this soon? It's only one week till the games start.

Forget it. He won't play for Russia at the WJC. He stated again yesterday to Sovietskii Sport ( sovsport.ru). And anyway I don't think he would be welcomed neither by coach Ishmatov or players.

I read on another board from a credible poster in Russia saying that a deal has been set that Zherdev will be playing for Russia in the WJC, then he is free to be with Columbus for the rest of the season. Has anyone else heard this? Is it even possible for Zherdev to play for Russia this soon? It's only one week till the games start.

What poster?

"Looks like they won't apply to arbitrage and Kolja will be playing on the World Junior Championship fpr Russia. After that he will be back in Columbus. The only reason for RHF to do so is saving Z as a player for Russian national team.
RHF also understand that they're in the losing situation.
No any links yet, just private information from Russia."

There's the post. He hasn't let out a bit of wrong information once regarding this situation or anything else regarding the Jacket prospects playing in Russia. We were supposed to know the decision by Tuesday or Wedsneday, and now it's Friday...I would expect something soon if what he says is true. The poster is called bizoncol, I've seen him post a few times here on HF but not for awhile. I found this post on Metro.

"Looks like they won't apply to arbitrage and Kolja will be playing on the World Junior Championship fpr Russia. After that he will be back in Columbus. The only reason for RHF to do so is saving Z as a player for Russian national team.
RHF also understand that they're in the losing situation.
No any links yet, just private information from Russia."

There's the post. He hasn't let out a bit of wrong information once regarding this situation or anything else regarding the Jacket prospects playing in Russia. We were supposed to know the decision by Tuesday or Wedsneday, and now it's Friday...I would expect something soon if what he says is true. The poster is called bizoncol, I've seen him post a few times here on HF but not for awhile. I found this post on Metro.

I'd be surprised to be frank, but part of me wishes that's ture.

Zherdev will not be and should not be there. First of all, he is one of the most overrated Russian players in the last decade. Second, why would you bring someone to the national team who is considered by many players themselves as a "traitor"? Of course he is not a traitor, he is just a kid misled by his greedy agent, that's all, but nevertheless this is the worst thing you can do to junior team and kill the chemistry from within if you want to bring him.

It would be nice to see Zherdev play for Ukraine, even though he has already committed to Russia. Babchuk could play for Ukraine i think?

It would be nice to see Zherdev play for Ukraine, even though he has already committed to Russia. Babchuk could play for Ukraine i think?

I don't think he can play for Ukraine because he's already played for Russia in international play, I'm pretty sure thats why Nabokov couldn't play for Russia in the last Olympics.

yeah i figured Zherdev couldn't play for ukraine now, because of that rule of playing with a team after the age of 17, but it would be nice if he and babchuk could play and maybe team ukraine would not get relegated.

it would be nice to see Heatly in Germany`s WC squad if he comes back.... :D

First of all, he is one of the most overrated Russian players in the last decade.

Maybe it is not Zherdev overrated maybe it is NHL overrated :D

Maybe it is not Zherdev overrated maybe it is NHL overrated :D

Nah, I think it's clear that he wasn't trying for CSKA and didn't want to be there. Since he's been in Columbus he's rarely the soft, floaty player that was described on these boards.

Did you draw that picture of Kovalchuk in your avater, Slay?

Nah, I think it's clear that he wasn't trying for CSKA and didn't want to be there. Since he's been in Columbus he's rarely the soft, floaty player that was described on these boards.

Well he tried at the beginning of the season but couldn't score as at last year and then things didn't work fine for him.

Did you draw that picture of Kovalchuk in your avater, Slay?

I wish I could draw like that :) I took it here http://www.echlphotos.com/

I read on another board from a credible poster in Russia saying that a deal has been set that Zherdev will be playing for Russia in the WJC, then he is free to be with Columbus for the rest of the season. Has anyone else heard this? Is it even possible for Zherdev to play for Russia this soon? It's only one week till the games start.

http://hockey.ipc.ru/2003/news/1261.htm

Can you give a quick recap of that article, Slay? I don't read Russian :p

Can you give a quick recap of that article, Slay? I don't read Russian :p

It says that Zherdev's agent Tyazhnykh thinks that there is an option that Zherdev can go to Finland. It needs don't start arbitration and tryings to recognize him as a military man by Russian Hockey Federation. It also says that foreign passport of Zherdev right now at finnish embassy in USA where visa is being executed.

It says that Zherdev's agent Tyazhnykh thinks that there is an option that Zherdev can go to Finland. It needs don't start arbitration and tryings to recognize him as a military man by Russian Hockey Federation. It also says that foreign passport of Zherdev right now at finnish embassy in USA where visa is being executed.

Interesting. Thanks for the recap. If he does go over for the WJC, I would hope he shows the same fire and drive that he's shown in the NHL so far. The Jackets will miss him when/if he goes.

It seems some have lack of understanding of the situation. Nikolai will not be on team Russia. Why do you think he is so valuable to the team that the coaches will take chances on immediate chemistry failure. The fact is he is not. He was invisible last year at the WC, he was in a big slump in CSKA, he was not performing well at all this season.

Not a single player in Russia and NHL in recent interviews in Russian media actually thought of this move as good move. Most were saying that this was not very wise at least. For the 19 year old kids who are by nature have more maximalism in them Nikolai Zherdev is a traitor who betrayed his Russian club, Russian fans and the Junior team, where he was given captaincy just recently. BTW it is another fact that he was not treated like nobody. I think getting captancy on the same team with Ovechkin is an honor.

Anyways, he should not and will not be there!

--------------------------------------
Tikhonov: Kolya, you have lots to learn!
Zherdev: Nah, I better go to Columbus....

Slay, are u sure that Kovy in ur avatar? I always thought it was Hemsky.

Slay, are u sure that Kovy in ur avatar? I always thought it was Hemsky.

Quite sure :)
http://www.echlphotos.com/art/hockeyart2.html