Canadiens hope Radulov pays dividends in NHL return
Free-agent frenzy loaded with intriguing buys
The showroom for the NHL's 2016 free-agent frenzy was full of intriguing buys.
There were expensive models consumers hoped were worth it, like Loui Eriksson (Vancouver Canucks, six years, $36 million US), luxury SUVs like Milan Lucic (Edmonton Oilers, seven years, $42 million), fully-loaded pickup trucks like Troy Brouwer (Calgary Flames, four years, $18 million), reliable but costly sedans like David Backes (Boston Bruins, five years, $30 million) and Hummers like Matt Martin (Toronto Maple Leafs, four years, $10 million).
The Montreal Canadiens opted for Alexander Radulov, maybe best described as a Lada Granta, a Russian auto that had a recall a few years back because of problems with its braking system.
The 29-year-old Radulov didn't come with much risk for Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, but it was a curious manoeuvre. The skilled-scoring forward was only signed to a one-year deal, worth $5.75 million.
Habs hoping for big reward
Bergevin admitted his club took a risk with Radulov and his checkered past, "but hopefully the reward is big."
Bergevin likes taking risks. In the past, he experimented with inconsistent forwards Alexander Semin and Thomas Vanek up front, but those trials went by the wayside after Semin (one goal in 15 games) and Vanek (11 goals in a combined 32 regular season and playoff games) failed to produce.
The Nashville Predators selected Radulov 15th overall in the 2004 NHL draft. In his final season of junior with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL, he scored a remarkable 61 goals in 62 regular-season games and 26 more in 27 postseason games to lead the Remparts to a Memorial Cup championship.
He played a couple of years in Nashville before returning to Russia to play for Salavat Yulaev, only to re-sign with the Predators after the 2011-12 season in Russia had concluded.
A few months before Radulov rejoined Nashville, a YouTube video surfaced of him whacking his Salavat Yulaev goalie coach Ilari Nackel in the face while on the bench.
Then, in the second round of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, Radulov and Nashville teammate Andrei Kostitsyn were spotted in the wee hours of the morning in a Scottsdale, Ariz. nightclub before the Predators were to meet the then-Phoenix Coyotes in Game 2 of the series.
The two were suspended for Game 3 for their curfew violation. After the Predators were eliminated Radulov went home to Russia to continue his career with CSKA Moscow.
Move comes days after Subban trade
It was difficult to ignore the fact that this move was made two days after Bergevin shocked the hockey world by shipping out all-world talent P.K. Subban to the Predators. Many believe Bergevin and the Canadiens gave up on Subban because of his bigger-than-life personality and his cheery demeanor, win-or-lose.
Bergevin remarked that he did his homework on Radulov. He talked with his CSKA Moscow general manager Sergei Fedorov and his former Nashville teammate Shea Weber, who was swapped for Subban on Wednesday.
Radulov was Fedorov's captain. Radulov's work ethic, attitude and on-ice determination apparently has been on the upswing since he married and the couple had their first child.
Weber and Fedorov told Bergevin that Radulov's missteps in the past were a case of immaturity, not a lack of character. Bergevin believes his new player has grown up.
He met with Radulov to discuss his past.
"Everything else is up to him," Bergevin said.
In the past week, Bergevin added forward Andrew Shaw via a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, signed Radulov, backup goalie Al Montoya and depth defenceman Zach Redmond.
The success of the Habs this season will not ride solely on Radulov. The most important factor will be the health of the goalie Carey Price, how well Shea Weber replaces Subban and whether Bergevin can still add a centre and a defenceman before the season commences in the fall.
But it certainly was a week to remember in Montreal and for the Habs faithful.
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