There is little doubt Zherdev can score. Claude Giroux, his linemate on Friday night, said Zherdev has the best hands he's ever seen in his 3 years of pro hockey.
"My career is obviously not that long, but he's probably one of the highest skilled players I've ever played with," Giroux said. "He's got some sick hands. His hockey sense is unbelievable, he always knows to be in the right position. He knows where to go on the ice."
Zherdev scored again on Saturday in Minnesota, giving him three goals in three preseason contests. But the Flyers knew he could score when they gave him a 1-year, $2 million contract to come back to the NHL. What remains to be seen is whether Zherdev has the willingness to battle for pucks and play meticulous defense.
More importantly, the Flyers are looking for consistency. Zherdev has posted 27, 10, 26 and 23 goals in his last four NHL seasons.
"He should be a 30-goal player," the same scout said. "He has the talent to be a 40-goal scorer. But you have to be really consistent to score 40 goals."
In three meaningless exhibition games, Zherdev has taken shifts off. He has not been perfect. But he is also trying to pick up Peter Laviolette's system that has a different wrinkle to the standard left-wing lock.
Zherdev is trying to adjust to that, and get in shape, learn his teammates' tendencies, and get readjusted to the North American game, all at the same time.
"It's always difficult when you come over from a different league, from a different place," Laviolette said. "I think he's getting it. There is always a learning period. But he finds time and space. His hands are quick, he gets shots off quick, he gets passes off quick. He adds that quickness to his skill level."
"When you don't have to think about it, and you can just do it, that's when the system works," Giroux explained.
Zherdev is not there yet.
