Yes, it seems that everyones first love of a Petr with only one E in their first name, Petr Nedved is coming to rangers training camp this year.
Petr Nedved always had a strange relationship with New York. He wasnt exactly welcome, or never felt he was, when he was an extremely talented young centerman who joined the rangers in 1995.( Mike Keenan compenstation). Then was traded with Sergei Zubov to Pitt for Ulf Samuelsam and Lucky Luc Robatille. Then of course he was traded back to broadway for Alex Kovalev.
So to recap, Nedved was dealt with Zubov and for Kovalev. Two perennial all stars who went onto become bigger stars on other teams. I think that is part of the reason that Nedved was never really welcome here was because of that. People have always regarded that Zubov trade as one of hte worst, and even though Nedved was dealt WITH him they blame him. The Kovy deal is another story.
The other thing with Nedved was that he never seemed to want the role that his talent deserves. On pure talent Nedved was probably in the top ten in the league. I still say he had the best wrist shot, especially from between the circles, in the league. It was so perfect but he never used it enough. He would always pass up the chance. With his talent Nedved should have regularly hit 30 goals instead of the 20 he normally got on Broadway. He did hit 30 with the Czech line in the 2000-2001 season. Nedved was so talented but he never seemed to want to take the torch and be the leader. Nedved seemed to want to be the 2nd or third option and when you play like that you wont reach your potential and you will be routinely booed.
I am rooting for Nedved. I always liked him and hoped he would reach that potential. Plus the number 93 jersey is badass especially when he would only tuck in one side. At 37 its a real longshot for Nedved to make the team this year though maybe he gets one of the games when they open the season in Prague and leave a kid home so that he will be well rested for the start of the “actual” season.
