The Rangers are still in the process of figuring out what moves the enigmatic Nikolai Zherdev, but his once-and-again center, Brandon Dubinsky, already knows this much: Move him the puck.
“Sometimes Nik’s there and I don’t make a play and I get on myself for it,” said Dubinsky. “He does some really special things, you have to give him space.”
The essence of the game is time and space. In year five of Zherdev’s career, the essence of the Rangers’ season likely will depend on the space between Zherdev’s ears.
On Wednesday night in Newark, Zherdev made a boneheaded first-period giveaway off the boards into the slot, before picking up his game and scoring two goals en route to 5-2 victory over the Devils.
One score was a power-play gimme (perhaps a contradiction of terms for a team scoring 17 percent of the time on power plays) into a half-open net, and the other a top-of-the-circle blast over goalie Scott Clemmensen’s shoulder. Zherdev, who had a season-high seven shots, was one of the hungrier piranhas during a four-goals-in-7:18 second-period feeding frenzy. And the Rangers, averaging only 2.63 goals per game, won comfortably.
Last summer Glen Sather traded in his two aging snipers, Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan, for two new ones in Zherdev and the veteran Markus Naslund. Even allowing for 25 goals from Drury and some statistical growth in a Ryan Callahan or Nigel Dawes, if Naslund and Zherdev don’t put the puck in the net, the Rangers won’t either.
Zherdev’s 16 points in his first 19 games projects to 67 for the season, which, barring a spectacular postseason, probably would make it his only one in a Ranger uniform. His contract is up and so likely would be the organization’s patience if someone this talented remains so invisible on so many nights.
“Alexei Kovalev,” Chris Drury offered as a Zherdev comparison after a game earlier this season. Both high and faint praise considering how unfulfilling became Kovalev’s tours of duty, particularly the second, in New York.
There was a difference between Zherdev’s home and road performances for the Blue Jackets, who traded him to New York for a second-pair defenseman, Fedor Tyutin. That’s selling low on a high-end talent, even if Coach Ken Hitchcock insists Zherdev, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season, potentially ending the Rangers ($3.25 million) obligation, grew as a teammate.
Like Kovalev, Zherdev likes to beat the same guy twice. Also doesn’t merely change costumes in a phone booth, but also can stickhandle through two opponents there at the same time.
“It’s amazing what he can do in tight spaces,” said Drury. “He has fast feet and hands, gets around people, gets his shot off. It’s been fun to watch so far.”