The Avs Would Be Crazy To Sign Alexander Radulov

Alex Radulov is one of the most talked about NHL Free Agents this coming July 1^st. Avs fans especially are talking at large about inking this player to a contract. The real question isn’t for how long, or for how much money. The real question is: why?

Why anyone would want Alex Radulov on their team for even close to what he is asking ($7.5M) is beyond us. When Elliotte Friedman tweeted that he had been signed by a KHL team (which is apparently untrue) we actually breathed a sigh of relief. We shall now go into a fake conversation with a fake Radulov supporter to prove our point.

“Radulov is a very skilled Russian who can bring a lot of offense to any team!”

Radulov was a scoring machine in the QMJHL, racking up 152 points in his last year and breaking several records. Since then, Radulov has not scored more than 25 goals for any pro team at any level (AHL, KHL, NHL) and has scored only higher than 68 points twice, both in the KHL. Yes, they play less games in the KHL, but at the NHL level, Radulov was not dominant. He was good, but not dominant. And he wants $7.5M in the NHL, playing against more skilled competition to not score even 30 goals? And if you think he can go from an NHL has-been-league with other Russians to the actual NHL and improve his stats, you’re dreaming.

“Radulov was coached by Patrick Roy in the QMJHL”

So? So was Bodnarchuk. That worked out well. This has to be the stupidest argument out there. The game is different in the NHL. Defensive systems are different and more complex, the players are obviously more skilled, and the league isn’t full of 16-20 year olds. The QMJHL and the NHL are different, miles apart, and to think Radulov can reignite his once great 152 point season because he has the same man telling him what to do on the bench is absurd. Radulov was coached by Barry Trotz, one of the best coaches in the league and WAY better than Roy, and he could only get 26 goals out of Radulov. Not to mention to defensive play.

Also tarnishing Radulov’s reputation: In juniors, Radulov was a show boating #1 star in his own mind. When he would score goals he would taunt the opposition’s bench. He would offer up unnecessary celebrations such as doing the whole “sword in the sheath” and “the archer”. Now, this attitude usually doesn’t follow players once they reach the big leagues, as they are often tuned in by a veteran, or beat up pretty bad until they stop. Not with Radulov. His celebrations and “holier than thou” attitude would follow him to the Show.

It is an unfair stereotype to say ALL Russian players are a flight risk to head back to Russia. Remember when it was the other way around, and USSR players couldn’t wait to leave? Remember when RAdulov still had 2 years left on his deal with Nashville and bolted to the KHL, leaving the Preds wih a HUGE hole in their top 6? The Preds tried to do everything to get Radulov to stay, but alas it was no use. And then, when Radulov wanted to return, the Preds actually took him back, acting like the desperate ex-girlfriend that takes her old boyfriend back after he cheated on her. And true to that narrative, Radulov betrays trust again, partying with teammate Andrei Kostitsyn at 5AM, before a playoff game, leading to a suspension for game 3. Classy guy.

After this, Radulov bolted back to Russia on a $9.2M(RUS) contract. Or, wait, did he bolt? Well, the Preds decided not to extend Radulov, for obvious reasons, so that helped in his decision making.

And now Radulov wants back in the Show. The guy who showed time and time again he disrespects the NHL, and cares more about himself than the game or his team. Has he changed? I think his huge contract demands answer that question for everybody. How Radulov can come back, after all his wrong doings, and think he is worth more then Thornton, the Sedins, Rinne, Bergeron, Backstrom, Karlsson, (the list goes on) is stupefying. Even if his demands are mis-reported, Radulov is worth no more than about $4-4.5M on a very short deal of one to two years.

So should the Avs try and sign this guy? No. See above.