Comments on: Zherdev discusses his future as arbitration date looms http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/2009/07/zherdev-discusses-his-future-as-arbitration-date-looms/ A look beyond the NY Rangers at the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers' Russian prospects, and the KHL. Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:20:35 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Adam http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/2009/07/zherdev-discusses-his-future-as-arbitration-date-looms//comment-page-1#comment-1378 Adam Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:56:57 +0000 http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/?p=7122#comment-1378 Jeff L.,I agree with Dubinsky, because he showed he could play with anyone when he played with Jagr, who made the Rangers bring in a carousel of centers in whom he wasn't happy with, so he would be a good fit. But because Kotalik and Gaborik share the extreme level of creativity, and they both have rockets for a shot, so that might be smart. But if they did it your way, Kotalik with play with his former linemate in Drury. Both looking like good combos. '09-'10 is looking like a '94 repeat! Jeff L.,I agree with Dubinsky, because he showed he could play with anyone when he played with Jagr, who made the Rangers bring in a carousel of centers in whom he wasn’t happy with, so he would be a good fit. But because Kotalik and Gaborik share the extreme level of creativity, and they both have rockets for a shot, so that might be smart. But if they did it your way, Kotalik with play with his former linemate in Drury. Both looking like good combos. ‘09-’10 is looking like a ‘94 repeat!

]]> By: Jeff L. http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/2009/07/zherdev-discusses-his-future-as-arbitration-date-looms//comment-page-1#comment-1376 Jeff L. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:27:21 +0000 http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/?p=7122#comment-1376 Adam, while I share your enthusiasm, I also need to look at the situation objectively. Think, do you really want the attitude problems of Zherdev & Kotalik (both well documented and one witnessed first-hand already) rubbing off on Gaborik? Not I. I say put him on a line with Dubinsky and Grachev, or Callahan swings over and plays LW on that line. That is much more to my liking. Put him with two honest, skilled, hard-working players. Adam, while I share your enthusiasm, I also need to look at the situation objectively. Think, do you really want the attitude problems of Zherdev & Kotalik (both well documented and one witnessed first-hand already) rubbing off on Gaborik?
Not I. I say put him on a line with Dubinsky and Grachev, or Callahan swings over and plays LW on that line. That is much more to my liking. Put him with two honest, skilled, hard-working players.

]]> By: Adam http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/2009/07/zherdev-discusses-his-future-as-arbitration-date-looms//comment-page-1#comment-1375 Adam Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:14:20 +0000 http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/?p=7122#comment-1375 Jeff L., you speak my language. I got a zherdev shirt at the start of the year because i believed the columbus would rue the day that they traded him to NY. I thought that he would be a finesse force that would take the NHL by surprise. But after his choke in the later part of the season and in the playoffs, i am off the bandwagon. Bring up Grachev in his place. P.S. If he stays in NY, imagine Zherdev, Kotalik, and Gaborik on a first line, (i know Kotalik isn't a center but who gives a rats ass!) Jeff L., you speak my language. I got a zherdev shirt at the start of the year because i believed the columbus would rue the day that they traded him to NY. I thought that he would be a finesse force that would take the NHL by surprise. But after his choke in the later part of the season and in the playoffs, i am off the bandwagon. Bring up Grachev in his place.

P.S. If he stays in NY, imagine Zherdev, Kotalik, and Gaborik on a first line, (i know Kotalik isn’t a center but who gives a rats ass!)

]]> By: Jeff L. http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/2009/07/zherdev-discusses-his-future-as-arbitration-date-looms//comment-page-1#comment-1374 Jeff L. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:45:16 +0000 http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/?p=7122#comment-1374 Good post, Laurie, all valid points. That said, Z can take a hike. I was a fierce supporter of his up until the last few weeks, and this article has cemented my change of heart. Get this guy the hell out of here, we don't need that kind of character (or lack of it) in the lockerroom. He obviously is content to be a mediocre hockey player, as long as he plays well enough to earn a paycheck. That's not what we need, regardless of how much skill he has. Let him go to the Devils where he'll become their problem. Ufck him. Good post, Laurie, all valid points.

That said, Z can take a hike. I was a fierce supporter of his up until the last few weeks, and this article has cemented my change of heart. Get this guy the hell out of here, we don’t need that kind of character (or lack of it) in the lockerroom. He obviously is content to be a mediocre hockey player, as long as he plays well enough to earn a paycheck.
That’s not what we need, regardless of how much skill he has.
Let him go to the Devils where he’ll become their problem.
Ufck him.

]]> By: laurie http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/2009/07/zherdev-discusses-his-future-as-arbitration-date-looms//comment-page-1#comment-1373 laurie Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:38:07 +0000 http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/?p=7122#comment-1373 LOL, a hint that he'll go to the Isles or Devils? He stated quite clearly that he would like to play in the Atlantic Division because of the easy travel. He's not the first player to say this. There's nothing sinister here, no plots of revenge. No one suggested Shanny went to the Devils 2 years ago in order to get back at us after Slats left him in the lurch... And Torts "hates" him? Like he hated Vinny Lecavelier early on? I keep reading this statement, yet no one ever seems to be able to provide any proof other than "you can tell by the way he looks at him". Come on now. Besides, a coaches job is to get the best out of his players, regardless of how he might feel about him personally. I didn't see Slats looking to jettison Avery when Tortorella came on board, and I think Tortorella's "hate" for Avery was pretty well documented. As for being invisible the second half of the season... Zherdev had 12 points in Torts first 15 games as coach. He sucked for the final 6 games and the playoffs. So please, go easy on the "half a season" hyperbole. Brandon Dubinsky had separate stretches of 19 and 24 games without a goal and people are ready to anoint him our first line center. Zherdev struggles over the last 13 games of the year and he's garbage. Can we get a little gray to go with all this black and white? LOL, a hint that he’ll go to the Isles or Devils? He stated quite clearly that he would like to play in the Atlantic Division because of the easy travel. He’s not the first player to say this. There’s nothing sinister here, no plots of revenge. No one suggested Shanny went to the Devils 2 years ago in order to get back at us after Slats left him in the lurch…

And Torts “hates” him? Like he hated Vinny Lecavelier early on? I keep reading this statement, yet no one ever seems to be able to provide any proof other than “you can tell by the way he looks at him”. Come on now. Besides, a coaches job is to get the best out of his players, regardless of how he might feel about him personally. I didn’t see Slats looking to jettison Avery when Tortorella came on board, and I think Tortorella’s “hate” for Avery was pretty well documented.

As for being invisible the second half of the season… Zherdev had 12 points in Torts first 15 games as coach. He sucked for the final 6 games and the playoffs. So please, go easy on the “half a season” hyperbole. Brandon Dubinsky had separate stretches of 19 and 24 games without a goal and people are ready to anoint him our first line center. Zherdev struggles over the last 13 games of the year and he’s garbage. Can we get a little gray to go with all this black and white?

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