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Blue Jackets prospect watch
Written by: Aaron Vickers on 11/18/2003 
Zherdev's Struggles Continue With CSKA Moscow
As the top prospect in the Columbus Blue Jacket organization, there is pressure on Nikolai Zherdev to perform everywhere. It is no secret that the fourth overall selection in the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft has had nothing but difficult times under head coach Viktor Tikhonov, with whom he's been feuding with. Tikhonov, unimpressed with the efforts of the Columbus Blue Jackets to bring Nikolai over to North America for the 2003-04 season, coupled with Zherdev himself struggling offensively, has left the Kiev, Ukraine native on the fourth line, seeing few minutes.
In fact, Zherdev has only managed four points (2-2-4) through 19 games this season, after recording 23 points (12-11-23) in 44 games last season.
Things may not look so grim for the youngster, however. Zherdev just finished play with Russia's U20 club, and participated in the Four Nations Tournament. A shaky Zherdev managed to register three goals in as many games, to lead the Russian squad in goals, and a share of the team lead in points.
Bendera's Attitude Continues To Cause A Commotion
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltending prospect Shane Bendera is once again in hot water with management, which is a familiar place for the St Albert, Alberta native. Bendera, who was sent home near the closing of the 2002-03 season by the ECHL Dayton Bombers, continues to struggle with attitude issues, which have him once again watching from the sidelines.
Bendera, who was loaned to the United Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch affiliate the Elmira Jackals, has been suspended indefinitely by Jackals head coach Todd Brost. Broast beforehand hunted for the advice of Columbus Blue Jackets assistant Jim Clark, who advised Brost to treat Bendera like any other member of his club, which prompted the suspension.
The suspension came two days after Bendera's only action of the 2003-04 season, which saw him surrender four goals on twenty shots over the course of two periods. Subsequently, Bendera was a no-show for Elmira's next practice. Bendera, who can re-join the team at any time under his own recognizance, remains separated from the club.
Mozyakin Continues Dominance
Although selected extremely late in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft (263rd overall), Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Sergei Mozyakin is making huge waves in the Russian Super League. Mozyakin, who is listed generously at 5'10" tall, has been paying huge dividends. Through 24 games this season, Mozyakin ranks second among scorers in the Russian Super League with 22 points (14-8-22) in 24 games, an excellent pace for the low scoring league.
It should also be noted that Mozyakin leads the Russian Super League in goals, with 14. This mark places him three goals ahead of former National Hockey Leaguer Sergei Krivokrasov, who has tallied 11 times.
Lindstrom Done For The Season
Unfortunately for Columbus Blue Jackets prospect and current MoDo forward Joakim Lindstrom, his season has come to a crashing halt before it was even given the opportunity to get off the ground and flourish. Lindstrom, who was made Columbus' second round draft selection in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft, separated his right shoulder for the second time. It was decided that it would be in the best interest for Joakim to undergo surgery. By opting for surgery, MoDo has no expectations of having Lindstrom back in their lineup this season.
Shoulder injuries are nothing new for Lindstrom, who had previously separated his right shoulder. In addition to that, Lindstrom had surgery last season on his left shoulder. Listed as out indefinitely with a timeline of four to five months, Lindstrom falls further behind in his development.
It was General Manager Doug MacLean who was quite impressed with what he saw in Joakim Lindstrom at the Columbus Blue Jackets Developmental Camp, so much so that Joakim had MacLean wishing that Lindstrom was under contract for the 2003-04 National Hockey League season. Whether MacLean's intentions would have lead Lindstrom to the Columbus Blue Jackets or their American Hockey League equivalent is unclear, however Lindstrom certainly impressed, and was further along in his development then the Columbus brass had expected.
Copyright 2003 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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