Rangers Now Have Decision

From Larry Brooks of the Post.

"So how complex a decision do you think it will be for GM Glen Sather to decide whether to keep Zherdev or let him go now that arbitrator Elliott Shiftman has awarded the winger a $3.9M contract for the 2009-10 season?

The Blueshirts have until tomorrow morning to either accept or walk away from the decision by Shiftman, who predictably took the easy way out by splitting the difference between the team's $3M submission and what, The Post has learned, was Zherdev's bid of $4.75M."

My belief is that the Rangers will walk away from this one. Brooks goes further into his article saying that Sather has already tried to trade Zherdev both before and after qualifying him. The Rangers have also signed Kotalik to a contract. Finally, there is not enough cap room for Zherdev and the remaining free agents on the Rangers.

I really do hope the Islanders can Sign Zherdev for 4 million, and put him on the top line and improve on the youth movement. He would be a big boost with his offensive numbers and his speed. Also assuming that Comeau cannot get signed yet, it may lead to something else this offseason.