The Nashville Predators are having problems signing a talented, offensive-minded Russian restricted free agent. The more things change, they basically stay the same.
We weren’t talking about Sergei Kostitsyn the last time this happened—we were talking about Alexander Radulov. The last time Radulov played in the NHL, he scored 26 goals and 58 points in the 2007-08 season. He had all the makings of an offensive force that could help the Predators score goals (and become successful) for years to come. He had a flair for the dramatic and could break out YouTube worthy individual highlights that could help pack Sommet Bridgestone Arena.
In short, he’s exactly the kind of player the Predators could use right now—especially with the possibility of losing Sergei Kostitsyn to free agency. Well NHL fans, there’s hope that Radulov will make his return to North America for the 2012-13 season. At least GM David Poile thinks so:
“”He has won two MVPs, he’s won a championship and with all due respect, the KHL is not the NHL,” Poile said. “Just like I said to him and I like I said to you. It’s getting to be that time for one of the better players in the game of hockey to play with the best players in the world.”
To be clear, Poile does not have visions of Radulov returning to the NHL for the upcoming season—although the timing would be perfect considering the potential Kostitsyn debacle. Nashville finished the season with 99 points and tied for 4th place in the tough Western Conference last season and hopes to build on their first playoff series victory in franchise history. An elite scoring talent like Radulov would go a long way towards helping the Preds take the next step.