Rangers interested in Radulov

[Guest]

The New York Rangers may already be on the hunt to build up their offence for next season.

With Marian Gaborik potentially sidelined until December with his scheduled shoulder surgery, the team has reportedly reached out to the Nashville Predators about acquiring pending restricted free agent Alexander Radulov, according to the New York Post.

The report states that Radulov has an offer on the table from CSKA of the Kontinental Hockey League and that Predators general manager David Poile would be inclined to deal the winger's rights rather than lose him for nothing, should he sign there.

Radulov's career with the Predators has been an eventful one. Drafted in the first round (15 overall) by Nashville in 2004, he joined the Predators in the 2006-07 season, scoring 18 goals and 19 assists in 64 games.

He had a breakout season in 2007-08, notching 26 goals and 32 assists in 81 games.

However, Radulov signed a contract with the KHL's Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the off-season despite still owing the Predators a year on his entry-level contract. The deal was disputed by the Predators, who suspend Radulov for the season for leaving for Russia.

He played the next four seasons for Ufa before returning to the Predators on March 22. The team lifted his suspension to allow the 25-year-old to join the team for its playoff push, while simultaneously allowing him to fulfill the final year of his contract by playing just nine regular season games.

While Radulov performed admirably over that span and in the playoffs (four goals and nine assists in 17 combined regular-season and playoff games), Radulov was again suspended by the Predators, this time for breaking curfew.

According to the report, Radulov's preference is to remain in the NHL next season. Rangers general manager Glen Sather is reportedly weighing his options in terms of what it would cost to secure Radulov's rights before he becomes a free agent July 1.

With no collective bargaining agreement currently in place for the 2012-13 NHL season, it is unclear when Radulov would be slated for unrestricted free agency nor what compensation the Predators would receive should he sign with another NHL club. Under the current CBA, Radulov would still be two seasons away from unrestricted free agency.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=397511

[Ravin]

In some way, the Preds should deal him if they can and get away from the bullshit he brings to the table. You really don't want to try and build a team with this guy basically having a KHL contract in his back pocket any time he feels like bolting back home.

[leaffan]

Oh Rangers please never change.

[Guest]

It appears Alexander Radulov's days with the Nashville Predators are over.

According to the Nashville Tennessean, Predators' general manager David Poile will try to trade the Russian forward's rights or allow him to return to the Kontinental Hockey League.

"The best way to characterize it is it's time to not pursue Rad anymore," Poile told the Tennessean. "If he wants to play in the KHL that's fine, if he wants to play with another NHL team I'd be willing to trade his rights.

"We feel the fit right now is not with Nashville," Poile added.

Radulov just completed an eventful season in which he returned to the NHL for the first time since leaving for Russia in 2008. He played 50 games for Ufa in the KHL before returning to Nashville in March and playing nine regular season games for the Predators. He contributed six points in eight playoff games, but was suspended by the team during the second round after he and Andrei Kostitsyn were cited for violating team rules while the team was in Phoenix.

The Predators went on to be eliminated by the Coyotes in five games.

"I have reached out to a few teams in the NHL to see whether there is any interest," Poile told the newspaper. "If there is, there's the possibility we could trade his rights."

Radulov, who turns 26 next month, is a restricted free agent. He was a first-round pick of the Predators (15th overall) in the 2004 Draft, and has compiled 47 goals and 55 assists in 154 NHL contests.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=397760

[wr50l]

A skillful player worth a look. Key words being upside and keeping roster flexibility if it doesn't work.

Hagelin Richards Gaborik
Radulov Stepan Callahan
Dubinsky Anisimov Kreider
Rupp Boyle Prust

Puts a lot of square pegs into square holes if it works. We obviously want to add some goals to this year's lineup.

[Sigona]

I'd think they play Kreider with Stepan and Radulov, but that's just me.

[EmpireWF]

Aren't Prust or Rupp a free agent?

[wr50l]

Aren't Prust or Rupp a free agent?

Prust will stay with the Rangers (probably). And if he doesn't ... well Pruster is a hero but we could replace him.

I'd think they play Kreider with Stepan and Radulov, but that's just me.

Perhaps, but that's a lot of pressure on the rookie to produce points. If the Rangers top two lines were to be efficient all-season with Kreider not on them then he would be able to play a lesser scoring role and could easily handle the scoring requirements of a 3rd line. That would certainly be the scoring depth we need. This is all speculation though, it's more likely we'll sign Parise instead hahahahaha.

[Herm]

Rads is good but not worth the headache to a tightknit small market team. Cmon NY give the preds something for him. I honestly never thought he'd be play another game for Nashville before the season. They got some games out of him and might get a pick for him,its more than i ever imagined.

[leaffan]

Sounds like he is heading back to Russia.