Flyers end Zherdev experiment

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren took a good chance when he signed free agent Nik Zherdev in July.

The moody 26-year-old right winger with an aversion to defense came with baggage from Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, but he possessed the kind of skill set that intrigued Holmgren. Zherdev apparently didn't combine those skills with coach Peter Laviolette's standard of work ethic, so the Flyers waived him Wednesday.

"It was a little bit of an experiment bringing him here to see what he could do," Holmgren said. "And I think for periods of time, it was good. Obviously, he has 15 goals with limited power-play time and limited minutes. But over the course of time here things have eroded, and I think his work ethic has probably dropped off. Right now he's just not fitting in, so we'll see what happens."

Zherdev declined to comment before he hopped into a limousine after Wednesday's practice.

Holmgren said Zherdev and his agent, Jay Grossman, requested a trade, but Holmgren apparently found no takers when he shopped him around.

"His agent and Nik obviously aren't happy with the situation," Holmgren said. "They asked me to look around for options, and nothing really came of that through trade. So we'll see what happens with this."

Zherdev played in 47 games and at times flashed his goal-scoring prowess, but he was a healthy scratch for the sixth consecutive game Tuesday against Phoenix. He hadn't played since Feb. 10.

Zherdev is in his sixth NHL season, but he quickly has worn out his welcome at each stop. He led the New York Rangers in scoring with 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists) during the 2008-09 season. After salary arbitration, the Rangers decided not to re-sign him, and he returned to Russia for the 2009-10 season. In 2003, Zherdev was drafted by Columbus in the first round, No. 4 overall. He played four seasons with Columbus. He has 114 career goals.

If Zherdev passes through waivers unclaimed, he will remain under contract with the Flyers, although it seems unlikely he'd want to stay in the organization and play at Adirondack in the AHL. He would be an attractive option during the playoffs if one of the Flyers' skilled players went down with an injury. If Zherdev decided to return to Russia, the Flyers could suspend him, and his salary would come off the cap. Zherdev is under a one-year contract at $2 million.

Teams have until noon Thursday to claim Zherdev off waivers.

"If he's not picked up, I'm not sure what direction we're going to go," Holmgren said "We'll have to think about that. I still like the idea that he's pretty good insurance if one of your skill guys gets hurt."

Holmgren suspected Zherdev became unhappy because of his recent lack of playing time.

"Everyone wants to play, and he's no different in that regard," Holmgren said. "And the fact he wasn't playing, maybe he didn't respond the right way a lot of times."

O'Donnell returning. Defenseman Sean O'Donnell, who was feared lost for 10 to 14 days with a knee injury, will return to the lineup for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders at the Wells Fargo Center.

With O'Donnell's return, the Flyers don't have to call up a defenseman from the minors, which became a possibility when O'Donnell's replacement, Oskars Bartulis, suffered a dislocated left shoulder that will need surgery. Bartulis was shoved into the boards by Scottie Upshall in Tuesday's overtime loss to Phoenix.

O'Donnell said Bartulis' injury didn't hasten his return. He said that when the results of an MRI exam on Monday showed no structural damage, it was decided he would return Thursday if he felt good during practice. He skated Tuesday and practiced Wednesday, and said the knee was fine.

Upshall suspended. Upshall was suspended for two games Wednesday for his hit on Bartulis. The former Flyer will miss the Coyotes' games at Tampa Bay and Columbus and will be eligible to return Sunday at Chicago.

Walker out. Defenseman Matt Walker is scheduled for minor knee surgery Tuesday. Walker was hurt playing for Adirondack over the weekend. He has played four games for the Flyers this season and is expected to miss a month.