Nikolay Zherdev has a horrible reputation in the NHL, and that wasn’t helped by the way the Philadelphia Flyers handled him in 2010-11. As a result, he’s heading back to the KHL for the 2011-12 season. He might be gone forever.
Nikolay Zherdev Signs Contract With KHL Team After Failed NHL Return
ATLANTA GA - JANUARY 14: Nikolay Zherdev #93 of the Philadelphia Flyers falls down behind the net against the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on January 14 2011 in Atlanta Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Getty ImagesZherdev’s foray into the NHL one ripe with controversy in Philadelphia. He never seemed to be able to get under the good graces of head coach Peter Laviolette despite performing quite admirably in a limited role with the team. Zherdev spoke out against his former coach and Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren in an interview with Sport Express in July. As translated by SB Nation’s Broad Street Hockey:
The Flyers experience clearly hurt Zherdev more than it helped him, despite the fact that he said it didn’t hurt him. Now, he’s back in the KHL despite expressing a desire to play in the NHL, and it’s quite possible that he doesn’t make the trip back across the Atlantic to play hockey again.
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