Just read this on espn.com.
He will be in the lineup Tuesday against the Ducks.
"It is expected that either the Russian Ice Hockey Federation or Zherdev's team, CSKA (the Central Red Army), will claim that the player has yet to complete military service and seek his return to Russia. However, according to the transfer agreement between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation, Zherdev was free to join the Blue Jackets in August after he signed his contract and the team paid the $100,000 transfer fee.
According to NHL sources, Zherdev's exit visa was "mislaid," preventing his leaving for the United States in time for the start of the season. Though the NHL has been inquiring as to Zherdev's status since August, proof of the player's military obligation has not been provided and Zherdev has maintained he hasn't taken an oath of duty.
If Zherdev's departure is protested by the Russian federation or his Russian team, the matter will be heard by an independent arbitrator. The move is believed to be welcomed by the NHL. Though Russia is a member of the IIHF, its teams often arbitrarily assert military requirements as a means of obtaining larger transfer fees and preventing their players from leaving. But while a hearing may settle Zherdev's matter, it may not settle the entire situation. The NHL's current agreement with the IIHF expires at the end of the 2003-04 season; it's expected that the Russian federation either will play a major role in shaping a new agreement or distance itself from the agreement entirely."
It looks like he hasn't served yet, but he got out of his service with the transfer agreement? Maybe someone with a knowledge of that works can shed some light, because it seems like maybe he defected this past week (even though he signed the 3 year contract back in August).
