Zherdev, Flyers deal to be finalized today

The Philadelphia Flyers and winger Nikolai Zherdev are expected to finalize a new contract today, Zherdev’s agent told SovSport, a Russian website.
Zherdev, 25, spent the 2009-2010 season in the KHL.
The talented winger has 30+ goal potential, scoring 23 goals for 58 points in 2008-2009 with the New York Rangers. Zherdev’s best season came in 2007-2008 when he scored 26 goals and a career high 61 points with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The addition of Zherdev will force the Flyers to move winger Simone Gagne. The Flyers are actively trying to move Gagne and Darren Dreger of TSN.Ca reports that some NHL executives believe the Flyers may even place Gagne on waivers if a trade is not found quickly.
Gagne, 30, has one year left on his contract and carries a cap hit of $5.25 million.
Prior to moving forward in contract talks with Zherdev, the Flyers were involved in talks with Raffi Torres and Pittsburgh’s Bill Guerin.
Neither are believed to be options anymore for Philadelphia.