MYTISHCHI, Russia – Russian forward Nikolai Zherdev signed a one-year contract with KHL team Atlant Mytishchi on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old first-round pick played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and for the New York Rangers in the past four seasons, scoring 61 points in 2007-08 and 58 points last year.

After failing to come to terms on a new contract with the Rangers and the Atlanta Thrashers, he opted for the Russian club where he had an eight-game stint three years ago. Zherdev earned $3.25m last season. He won the 2009 World Championship in his first appearance on the men’s national team, adding to his U20 gold in 2003.