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National Hockey League (NHL) -  No one really knew what to expect when the best Russian players started filtering into the NHL in the late 1980s. Alexander Mogilny provided the first real glimpse of what the fuss was all about when he defected from his native land to join the Buffalo Sabres two decades ago. Scotty Bowman then made headlines in the mid-1990s in Detroit when he rolled out the "Russian Five," consisting of forwards Igor Larionov, Sergei Fedorov and Slava Kozlov (Atlanta Thrashers) and defensemen Vladimir Konstantinov and Slava Fetisov. (NHL.com article by Mike G. Morreale) READ MORE

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Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  COLUMBUS, Ohio - Last July 1, Fedor Tyutin (Columbus Blue Jackets) and his wife celebrated the birth of their first child, Leeza. The next day, the Russian defenseman - who was drafted by the Rangers in the second round in 2001, played 250 games for them and agreed to a long-term contract extension in February - was shipped to the Blue Jackets along with defenseman Christian Backman for wingers Nikolai Zherdev (New York Rangers) and Dan Fritsche. "Sure, it was a shock, a surprise, being traded for the first time," Tyutin, 25, said Friday. "It's different ... But I still do what I love to do, play hockey." (NewsDay article by Steve Zipay) READ MORE

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I was having a conversation with my friend the other day about all the Russian players the New York Rangers have in their system and on the team, with the acquisition of Nikolai Zherdev (New York Rangers). Russian hockey players are always very skilled, and very fast, and always seem to be modeled off the "Russian Rocket" himself, Pavel Bure, who once played for the Rangers. Now, it's only the summer and nothing is settled yet, but how sweet would an all-Russian second line be? Think about it, the team could have a second line of: Nikolai Zherdev (New York Rangers)- Artem Anisimov (New York Rangers)- Alexei Cherepanov (New York Rangers) (Bleacher Report article) READ MORE

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In the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, only the following nine Russians were taken. Nikita Filatov (Columbus Blue Jackets) (6th overall, Columbus Blue Jackets) There is no surprise that this young player was picked this early. A lot of scouting services have voiced the opinion that Filatov was a top five selection talent. However, prior to the draft, the main concern was whether Filatov personally would be able to overcome the doubts of many NHL clubs regarding the willingness of Russians to move over to North America. Clearly, the young prospect was successful in this bid, demonstrating his strong fluency in English and his intention to move to North America right after the draft. In regards to the club that selected him, the Blue Jackets appear to be a very good match, with their strong recent history of drafting Russian-born players, Nikolai Zherdev (New York Rangers) (2003), Maxim Mayorov (Columbus Blue Jackets) (2007) Sergei Mozyakin (Columbus Blue Jackets) (2002), Dmitri Kosmachev (Columbus Blue Jackets) (2003), and Andrei Plekhanov (Columbus Blue Jackets) (2004). (Hockey's Future Article by Eugene Belashchenko) READ MORE

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Blue Jackets right winger Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) wants to play for a Russian team. Not in an Alexander Svitov (Columbus Blue Jackets) kind of way, mind you. Svitov left the Jackets in the offseason to return to Russian club hockey. Zherdev only longs for a chance to represent the national team in events such as the world championships and Olympics. (The Columbus Dispatch article by Tom Reed) READ MORE

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Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) was supposed to wear this #14 jersey during a EuroTour tournament in the 2004-05 season, but he was sidelined by injury and did not participate. The jersey is game issued and was the only one made specifically for the tournament. It features a sewed on Russian Hockey Federation seal, as well as a sewed on nameplate. READ MORE

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After months of on and off negotiations and numerous articles in the media, Nikolai Zherdev is finally a Blue Jacket once again. Earlied today the young forward signed a 7.5 million dollar three year deal with the club. He will get paid 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 million dollars for the 06-07, 07-08 and 08-09 seasons respectively. The young forward should be in good shape for the start of the regular season, as he has already been skating full time with Russia’s HC Khimik, a club with which he signed an insurance one year deal in case the NHL negotiations fails.

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Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) may be on his way back to join his NHL club, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The young forward has spent the summer in Russia and has started the Russian regular season with HC Khimik. The young forward currently has an

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LG Sweden Games (EuroTour) -  MacLean’s tactics with Zherdev are out of whack (Columbus Dispatch Editorial) READ MORE

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LG Sweden Games (EuroTour) -  Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) may have rejected best offer - Negotiations at standstill with free-agent forward READ MORE

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Russian Super League -  Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) signed an insurance deal with Khimik of the Russian Super League. The young forward's contract with the Blue Jackets has concluded and his agent is currently negotiating a new deal with the NHL club. Khimik was not a surprising destination, as Zherdev is the client of Mr.Tyzhnykh, who has many clients under employment with this particular Super League club.

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Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) shares his impressions of the new NHL rules, discusses his coming into hockey and how he spent the lockout season in an interview with Russian Information Agency (RIA) correspondent Andrey Brotsky. READ MORE

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Russian Super League -  Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackts) has quietly made his return to North America, in time for the NHL club’s training camp. Fortunately, the young forward has not had to contend with any contract negotiations, as he still has two years remaining on his deal with Columbus. Zherdev spent the 2004-05 season with CSKA (Moscow), but chose not to resign with the club in the summer even when the NHL lockout conclusion was not a sure thing. Instead, he spent the summer practicing in his adopted Russian hometown Elektrostal with his former High League club Kristal.

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In the case of another lockout, Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) may return to Russia, but to a different Super League (Russia 1) club. Khimik (Vosskresensk) has reportedly offered the young forward a financially impressive contract to lure him away from CSKA. If the lockout concludes, however, Zherdev will return to the NHL.

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Russian Super League -  CSKA

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Russian Super League -  NEFTKHIMIK (Nizhnekamsk)

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Wingers Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Alexander Frolov (Los Angeles Kings) have a new center. After former New York Islanders prospect Dmitri Upper went down, being hampered by a pulled groin and strained abdomen muscles, CSKA’s management moved 19 year old Alexander Nikulin to center the two NHL forwards. Alexander Nikulin (Ottawa Senators #122/2004) has spent the majority of the 2004-05 season thus far skating on CSKA Moscow’s third and fourth lines. The young forward has been very mature and reliable on the ice, which did not go unnoticed by the coaches.

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Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets #4/2003) suffered a light concussion in the Tuesday's game against Lada Togliatti, but will likely play in today's match against Spartak Moscow. The team officials claimed that the injury was minor and Zherdev was cleared to practice and play.

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Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets #4/2003) suffered an injury that forced him out of CSKA’s match against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. The young forward was streaking down the boards towards the opponent’s net, when Kirkil Safronov (Atlanta Thrashers) caught up to him and placed him into the boards. The hit was very hard and Zherdev was helped off the ice by his teammates and went straight into the locker room. The extent of the injury is unclear, and it is unknown if he will play in the next contest. This was Zherdev’s debut game at CSKA’s home arena in Moscow after his unexpected flight from the squad to North America last season. Zherdev skated in three contests thus far this season for CSKA, recording no points and earning three two minute penalties.

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Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets #4/2004) has signed a deal with CSKA Moscow for the period of the looming NHL lockout. The young forward left the Russian club under what can hardly be considered amicable circumstances, but it appears that the rift between Zherdev and the Super League club has been resolved.

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Currently, Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) is practicing with CSKA’s junior farm club CSKA 2. The young forward has not yet agreed to give an interview to the Russian media, answering the speculations that he may spend part of the next season in a CSKA uniform. CSKA’s vice president Guschin had the following to say regarding Nikolai Zherdev’s case and his departure to North America last winter:

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Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Alexander Frolov (Los Angeles Kings) have both been practicing with CSKA 2. Alexander Frolov has already signed a conditional deal with the Super League (Russia 1) club, while Zherdev has not yet entered negotiations with the club.

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The independent arbitrator ruled today that Nikolai Zherdev may continue playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL. The arbitrator found the club’s paperwork and the procedures followed were within the guidelines of the current agreement between the IIHF and the NHL. Furthermore, the arbitrator could not rule that Zherdev was serving in the Russian military at the time he bolted for North America. While this ruling frees Zherdev to play in the NHL, it may negatively impact future generations of Russian skaters, who may be held under a tighter military grip by their respective teams. The cases of Chistov, Svitov and Koltsov that occurred a couple of seasons back may become more common, when clubs use their military connections to draft players into the

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According to the Soviet Sport Newspaper, on the 9th of December Nikolai Zherdev and his agent, Alexander Tyzhnikh, at the meeting with the paper’s correspondent made an official announcement for the Russian press. The two stated that Zherdev will not be at the U20 World Junior Championships, and does not intend to leave the NHL before the ruling of the arbitration court, where, most likely Russian Hockey Federation will turn to.

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Nikolai Zherdev played his second game for the Columbus Blue Jackets today. He had an excellent game, scoring his first NHL goal and assisting another. The young forward had five shots on goal and many scoring chances, showing just how bright his future is in the NHL. This is probably, sadly, for the last time that RussianProspects names Nikolai Zherdev the Player of the Week!

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Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nikolai Zherdev may no longer be a prospect, as he is coming to Columbus and joining the NHL club. He received the US working visa and will likely be in the next game against Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

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Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nikolai Zherdev suffered a mild case of food poisoning earlier this week, and did not have a chance to rejoin the squad practices in time to make the linemup that faced Lokomotiv in a 6:2 losing effort. Instead he skated for the club's junior farm team CSKA 2.

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Columbus Blue Jackets signed first round draft pick Nikolai Zherdev to a multiyear contract.

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Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nikolai Zherdev appears to be on the verge of having a great season. The young winger has been fielded by CSKA coach Viktor Tikhonov on the same line with Andrei Razin, one best set up men in Russia. The two have developed great chemistry and have set up each other on some great combinations thus far in the preseason.