LARRY BROOKS. 

PHILADELPHIA - There's an unintended consequence to Nikolai Zherdev's disappointing production that, unlike the winger's mediocre 19-31-50 numbers, actually stands to benefit the Rangers.

Barring a goal-scoring spree over the final 14 games, which the Blueshirts would more than welcome, the impending 24-year-old Group II free agent will not be in position to hit a salary arbitration home run should he fail to reach a contract agreement with GM Glen Sather before July 1.

At his current pace, Zherdev will score 23 goals, three fewer than he scored last year for Columbus and four under the career high of 27 he established with the Blue Jackets in 2005-06. As such, though he surely will gain an increase over the $2.5 million per year he has earned throughout his expiring threeyear contract, he's not likely to score a multiyear deal above the $3-$3.5 million range.

Zherdev also is extremely unlikely to attract an offer sheet to use as leverage against the cap-stressed Rangers. The Blueshirts have nine players under contract for $41.1 million against a ceiling that likely will fall between $55 and $58 million - depending on final season revenues and whether the NHLPA exercises its 5-percent bump for next season.

Those nine players are forwards Scott Gomez, Chris Drury (no-move clause), Markus Naslund (no-move clause) and Sean Avery; defensemen Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi; and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

The Blueshirts also stand to benefit in relation to the cap from Brandon Dubinsky's sophomore struggles. Coming off an Entry Level contract, and therefore ineligible for salary arbitration, the 22-year-old presumptive Group II has recorded just 32 points (8-24) while experiencing three prolonged goal-scoring droughts of at least 14 games.

Those numbers likely are to give pause to clubs that might have been considering extending an offer sheet to Dubinsky, earning $633,333 per year on his current deal. If the Rangers do not have to match an offer sheet - though watch out for Vancouver - they might be able to sign Dubinsky to a two-year deal for a lifesaving $1.5 million per year.

There have been no substantive negotiations with pending unrestricted free agents Paul Mara, Blair Betts and Colton Orr; or with recently shortterm leased Nik Antropov and Derek Morris.