radulov

[PocketRockets05]

Well over the past three seasons in the KHL, he has posted pretty well over a PPG and PIM / game. Let's not forget that overall, the KHL is a pretty low-scoring league.

For some type of parallel, last season Jagr averaged around a PPG in the KHL, and he's been around a PPG so far this year.

I'm not quite certain about upside here, but it seems to me at least that Radulov could certainly be capable of 70+ with solid PIM totals.

Cheers.

Agreed! I think he'll do well here, but right out of the gate I'm not expecting the same numbers Jagr is putting up this year as Radulov won't have Giroux passing him the puck over there in Nashville

[Dakkster]

The KHL season does end a month or so earlier than the NHL.

Yes it is possible for Rads to come back and play this year as his contractual commitment will be done for Salavat Ufa.

Will this happen? Doubtful.

Why? Radulov still owes one year on his original entry level contract with the Preds. If he played for 3 weeks or even 1 game that would count as his final years commitment to the Preds. If you were Poile, would you rather have Rads for 6+ months at that ELC low $ or have him be able to rid himself of that year in a few weeks. The only way I can picture that happening is if the Preds have some injuries and are in a play-off spot. Or, that is what they HAVE to do to get Rads to come back. Basically write-off his final ELC year and then pay him what a player of his value (albeit, presumed value as he isn't in the NHL) deserves.

Your guess is as good as mine as he is one of the most irritating players to own ever.

Wouldn't he have to pass through waivers when he comes back in mid-season, though?

[sharpp87]

I dont think he can come back this year ....

Why does Turris had to be signed before December 1st or he was not eligible to play this year in the NHL ????

it is not the same for everybody ??????

[vandalay]

Wouldn't he have to pass through waivers when he comes back in mid-season, though?

I don't think so, because it is not a FA signing, there is still 1 year left on his entry level contract. But an interesting question.

[Dakkster]

My guess is that it's not covered by the CBA since it broke the rules in the first place. Special case.

[loco man]

Wouldn't he have to pass through waivers when he comes back in mid-season, though?

He doesn't. I don't want to dig up the info, but there is an exhaustive forum on HF Boards that explains why.

Basically, he could return THIS year after the KHL season is over, and there is talk of this happening, as he could use up his last year and then sign a long term extension. This does make some sense, and Nashville would demonstrate their committment to him by allowing him to burn his last entry year then sign him to a contract that reflects his value.

Of course, the more likely scenario is that he will return for a full season next year, and use up his last year on his entry level contract, THEN sign an extension.

Either way, it really looks like he will be back at the latest to start next season, and I for one see him as an impact player right away. 70 points is a very reasonable expectation.

I grabbed him off the wire, even though I am trying to contend, as I think he will walk in as my #3 fwd and produce right away.

Here's hopin!

[loco man]

Something is happening with Radulov. This blogger Fang_Finger who follows the Preds just tweeted that he interviewed Jay Grossman, Rinne's and Radulov's agent, and he told him some interesting news on Radulov. It was retweeted by The Predatorial, another Preds blogger. The bad news is this guy is keeping it to himself until 12/17 when his new website launches. My guess is he's probably announcing that he will definitely be back in the NHL next year, but who knows, maybe he's announcing that he'll re-join the Preds after the KHL season is done.

Anyway, not sure if there is anything of real interest in this, but it is certainly intriguing. I dropped Gorges for Radulov just now on the off-chance the news is even bigger.

What a clever bugger! I know I will be checking out his site on the 17th.

Will be pissed if the bombshell reads "Nashville would like Radulov to return"

[One87]

He doesn't. I don't want to dig up the info, but there is an exhaustive forum on HF Boards that explains why.

Basically, he could return THIS year after the KHL season is over, and there is talk of this happening, as he could use up his last year and then sign a long term extension. This does make some sense, and Nashville would demonstrate their committment to him by allowing him to burn his last entry year then sign him to a contract that reflects his value.

Of course, the more likely scenario is that he will return for a full season next year, and use up his last year on his entry level contract, THEN sign an extension.

Either way, it really looks like he will be back at the latest to start next season, and I for one see him as an impact player right away. 70 points is a very reasonable expectation.

I grabbed him off the wire, even though I am trying to contend, as I think he will walk in as my #3 fwd and produce right away.

Here's hopin!

I coukd buy this happening. We shall see soon enough.

[loco man]

I coukd buy this happening. We shall see soon enough.

It would make it a lot more feasable if his KHL team did not make the playoffs, but it looks like they will.

I would be sooooo stoked to see Rads line up in Nashville for the last 20 games or so and I assume most Preds fans would be willing to see him burn his contact if there was a legit shot at extending him long term.

Given his general douchiness, I would't surprise me at all to see Rads come back this year, then refuse to sign with Nashville and become a RFA at the end of the year.

Either way would be golden for me!!

[One87]

It would make it a lot more feasable if his KHL team did not make the playoffs, but it looks like they will.

I would be sooooo stoked to see Rads line up in Nashville for the last 20 games or so and I assume most Preds fans would be willing to see him burn his contact if there was a legit shot at extending him long term.

Given his general douchiness, I would't surprise me at all to see Rads come back this year, then refuse to sign with Nashville and become a RFA at the end of the year.

Either way would be golden for me!!

LOL..i agree. The douchi-nature of Radulov could very well have.him returning to Nashville, just so he can be a RFA (Radulov FA).

[ross10019]

I honestly think the most likely scenario is the 1st one loco man indicated, that he comes back this year and as a gesture of good faith the Preds allow him to burn the final entry year. You know he doesn't want to play for a year at 800k, just not going to happen. You also know Nashville needs high impact forwards if they want to make the playoffs and have a reasonable chance at playoff success this year. It is a tailor-made situation to negotiate an extension now, for say 2 years at $4.5M or something like that, you get him for the playoff run this year and 2 more years. He gets the major benefit of coming back to the NHL making the kind of money he now deserves. Then before the 2 years are up the Preds have a star on their roster who will either re-sign or (more likely) will yield significant trade assets. Nashville knows that he won't come back to play out his re-entry, and they won't find it in their interests to force him to do it just out of spite, they'll eat the final year because they know that, at this stage of his career (as opposed to when he left), he's worth WAY more than that $800k.

So my bet is he does indeed come back immediately after the KHL playoffs are done and steps right into the Preds lineup.

Plus Arnott's gone now, so no bad blood.

[ross10019]

I don't think Radulov or the Preds will do this unless the terms are agreed for beyond this year. I don't see the Preds taking his word that he will sign an extension after the year's up, they'll want that taken care of now. What makes most sense here is for there to be an agreement in place, that guarantees Radulov enough money beyond this season to make coming back this year worthwhile and that guarantees the Preds a good return either way (most likely short-term contributions on the ice coupled with an asset come off-season trading).

[loco man]

Thanks Ross, now my hopes are WAY up!!! lol

It just makes too much sense for them to actually do it, but man would that be sweet for us looooonnnnnggggg suffering Rads owners

[ross10019]

Thanks Ross, now my hopes are WAY up!!! lol

It just makes too much sense for them to actually do it, but man would that be sweet for us looooonnnnnggggg suffering Rads owners

I REALLY am loathe to get anyone's hopes up, honestly with how long people have been hoping for a comeback from him. But there is reason for optimism I think because it just makes so much darn sense AND Poile, in the off-season, spoke to Radulov and his agent and he came right out and said the chances of Radulov coming back to the NHL is very high. I'll find the quote but it was something like "he's won MVP of the KHL, won scoring titles, won a championship, now it's time for one of the better players in the world to come back and play against the best players in the world." Poile never intimated that he'd come back as early as this year though, that's for sure, but it does make sense for the team to consider that given their scoring troubles.

[loco man]

I REALLY am loathe to get anyone's hopes up, honestly with how long people have been hoping for a comeback from him. But there is reason for optimism I think because it just makes so much darn sense AND Poile, in the off-season, spoke to Radulov and his agent and he came right out and said the chances of Radulov coming back to the NHL is very high. I'll find the quote but it was something like "he's won MVP of the KHL, won scoring titles, won a championship, now it's time for one of the better players in the world to come back and play against the best players in the world." Poile never intimated that he'd come back as early as this year though, that's for sure, but it does make sense for the team to consider that given their scoring troubles.

Agreed.

I read every possible tidbit on this situation, and there truly is reason for optimism - much more than ever before. Rads himself even said "I have one more year" referring to this season. He's comin back. Earlier would just be gravy. Sweet sweet gravy...