The Montreal Canadiens have signed Russian RW Alexander Radulov to a one year deal reportedly worth $5.75 million.
Radulov has spent the past four years with CSKA of the KHL, putting up a point per game average or better in each season. In 2015-16, he played in 53 games, scoring 23 goals while adding 42 assists and 73 PIMS. His 65 points was second in the league in scoring, two points behind Magnitogorsk’s Sergei Mozyakin. Radulov also added four goals and twelve assists in 20 postseason contests.
A former first round pick of the Nashville Predators (15th overall in 2004) the 29 year old famously played just two years for the Preds before bolting to the KHL. Radulov returned for a nine game stint at the end of the 2011-12 season and put up seven points but then returned to the KHL the following season. In his NHL career, he has 47 goals and 55 assists in 154 games.
This is an interesting move by Marc Bergevin and the Habs. Radulov had become known for some on-ice antics and lack of desire on the ice. But most reports state that he seems to have grown out of these issues the past few years and Radulov certainly fills a major need for the team. A left shooting right winger with good size, he immediately slots into the Habs top six and gives them a dynamic scoring option.
While this move may have some risk associated with it, it’s a reasonable term and cap hit and Radulov should be a great add to Montreal’s forward group.
Radulov’s Stats:
