Don't know if anyone read this article or if it was posted earlier but it makes some interesting points. Food for thought?

Or is this going to be similar to when he played with Gabby.

http://www.zimbio.com/Nikolai+Zherde...ikolai+Zherdev


Hockey News Fantasy: Nikolai Zherdev.
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Written by hockeyfanland on Aug-10-10 10:32pm
From: hockeyfanland.com

"I had some difficulty last season signing a contract in the NHL, and I made the decision to stay one season in Russia. But basically my goal is to come to the NHL and be one of the best players, play every night, show everybody I'm ready and that I'm an NHL player."

—RW Nikolai Zherdev. From:Yahoo sports.



When Nikolai Zherdev decided to return to the NHL, one month ago almost to the day, I’m sure I was not the only fantasy hockey G.M. who had a red-light go off in his head.This is big hockey news fantasy. A re-committed Zherdev to the NHL game.

I’m ready to take the risk for huge points. Are you ready to take the risk?



When you take a closer look: that risk becomes a small one.

1) He only signed a one year deal: This means he has something to prove.

2) The Philadelphia Flyers are short on wingers: Zherdev will get first-line duty.

3) No one said he doesn’t have the skill: Zherdev compiled 239-points in 365-games before bailing to Russia. From the quote above, you get the sense this kid grew to be a man.

4) Zherdev averaged about 60-points a season in the NHL, and that is with people saying he took nights off in the past.

5) Flyershockey stands for hard work and teamwork; this is what got them to the cup last year.



Zherdev has what Philly needs; Philly gives Zherdev what he wants a re-birth.



I'm Thinking this man could set new career highs this season in his new found role!

I think he will produce well as he is playing for a contract. No one can deny he has the skillset but he usually loses interest when things don't go his way. Hopefully he has matured. I think he gets around 70 pts next year for career highs. It is pretty difficult not to have good linemates in Philly.

I usually read very little into quotes. Any player will say he's committed and willing to show up every night. Doing it is another thing. His year in NY had something to prove as well (contract year) and he failed to impress.

Check out this depth chart: http://www.forecaster.ca/thestar/hoc...hchart.cgi?Phi

One of Carter or Briere will play wing, which means that Zherdev could play parts of the season on the 3rd line depending on how things go with him and with others (Leino, Hartnell and JVR could pose problems). A Giroux/Zherdev combo would make an excellent scoring 3rd line but might not get Zherdev enough ice time to really shine.

A 70-point season could happen, but proceed with caution.

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Twitter:@DH_EricDaoust.

WOW how did that happend?
2003-04 34Pts
2005-06 54Pts
2006-07 32Pts
2007-08 61Pts
2008-09 58Pts

Why would he surpass his carreer high 61pts? 55pts max is what I see, hope I'm wrong. Don't get too optimistic.

__________________
Dynasty 20 Teams Salary Cap League. Points only. 8F/4D/1G Pts carry over in trades
F: Ovechkin/D.Sedin/Kovalchuk/Eberle/Getzlaf/D. Brown/Ra.Whitney/Filppula/Silfverberg/Teravainen
D: Enstrom/Streit/Ekman-Larsson/J. Schultz/M.Barberio
G: M.Kipprusoff (Win=2Pts SO=2pts OTL=1pt)

2011-12 / 2009-10 CHAMPION

I'm expecting at least a decent season from him this season (~65pts). He's never been on a team this deep in talent up-front so will not be relied upon for scoring. 1st line mins would be great, but 3rd line may draw the best opportunity (weakest 'D' pairing).

And it's great that he should be undervalued comming from the KHL as a sleeper; the only problem is 1 d-bag GM in my league will take him as an 70-80pt. player, so he won't be around to take advantage of his sleeper status.

__________________
11 Team 1yr. daily update Yahoo Roto League (drafted 6th)
Roster: 2C, 2L, 2R, 4D, 1U, 2G, 10 B, 1IR (NO max games played)
Stats: G, A, P, +/-, PIM, PPP, SHP, BS, W, GAA, SV%, SHO

C: J. Thornton, N. Backstrom, P. Stastny, D. Desharnais, Z. Konopka
L: J. Benn (C/L), Jo. Staal (C/L), D. Perron (C/L), S. Kostitsyn, A. McDonald (C/L), B. Prust
R: M. St.Louis, B. wheeler, J. Voracek, T. Purcell
D: S. Weber, A. Goligoski, J. Carlson, D. Seidenberg, J. Gorges
G: J. Quick, M. Smith, J. Hiller
IR: --

If a d-bag in your league actually does that, then it's great news for you. Means that an actual 70+ player falls one extra spot (and hopefully to your spot).

__________________
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24-team H2H (roto G, A, GWG, SHP, PPP, PIM, +/, SOG, Hits, Blks, FOW, W, SV, SV%, GAA, SO)

Capped article archive

Montreal Canadiens coverage

Twitter:@DH_EricDaoust.

Yeah, I know... it's just annoying. He has no concept how to draft, just goes after players he wants and takes them at least 1 round if not 3-4 rounds before they should.

I don't let it control me, but it's always nice to uncover a few sleeper gems to flaunt about that make you look part psychic and part genius.

__________________
11 Team 1yr. daily update Yahoo Roto League (drafted 6th)
Roster: 2C, 2L, 2R, 4D, 1U, 2G, 10 B, 1IR (NO max games played)
Stats: G, A, P, +/-, PIM, PPP, SHP, BS, W, GAA, SV%, SHO

C: J. Thornton, N. Backstrom, P. Stastny, D. Desharnais, Z. Konopka
L: J. Benn (C/L), Jo. Staal (C/L), D. Perron (C/L), S. Kostitsyn, A. McDonald (C/L), B. Prust
R: M. St.Louis, B. wheeler, J. Voracek, T. Purcell
D: S. Weber, A. Goligoski, J. Carlson, D. Seidenberg, J. Gorges
G: J. Quick, M. Smith, J. Hiller
IR: --

Really? I was thinking 65-70 when I drafted him for support/depth. That would completely suck if he only hit 55.

On a side note, I seemed to be obsessed with the Canadian flag lately [scratches heads...puzzled] ....very weird, dunno??

__________________

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Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

As has been suggested before, I would be cautious with your predictions.

Yes he's young, yes he's talented, and if he puts in all together he could have a career year.

That being said, Mike Richards led the Flyers with 62 points last year (ok probably higher if Carter played all year, but injuries happen). Think of the depth on the squad. Think of the likely spread of ice-time. I don't know what line he'll be on or how much time he'll play, but predicting 70 points is quite a bit optimistic in my opinion.

Only 30 players hit the 70 point mark last season.

I don't know how many points he'll get, but I'm drafting him as a 50-55 pt player, and anything else is a bonus.

Nice perspective, Horrorfan.

__________________

Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G