BOCA RATON, Fla. – There is no news about Alexander Radulov's chances of returning to the Nashville Predators unless you count general manager David Poile's intuition.
"In my gut, if there was ever going to be a time for him to come back, it should be now," Poile said at the NHL general managers' meeting. "All of the things are aligned. His (Kontinental Hockey League) playoffs are over. Hurdles are cleared. He can burn off the year and get himself to free agency. More important to that, I always felt he would come back to the best league in the world."
In 2008, Radulov left the Predators with one season left on his contract to sign with the KHL's Ufa Salavat Yulayev team. Media reports in Russia have suggested Radulov was thinking about returning to the NHL.
Poile said he has talked to Radulov's agent, but has not talked to the player. He's simply waiting to hear from Radulov, as he has for four years.
Some general managers questioned league officials at the meeting about why Radulov would be able to return to Nashville's roster this late in the season without clearing waivers. Teams always operate under the idea that playoff rosters have to be set at the trade deadline, although apparently there are instances when that is not the case.
"Why would we essentially punish a team for a player having gone AWOL?" league deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "It doesn't make a whole lot of sense."
Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford accepts the league's position.
"I can understand why the teams competing with Nashville would question it, but it's nothing new," Rutherford said, adding, "He's a pretty damn good player."
Poile calls Radulov the best player not in the NHL. He had 26 goals and 58 points in his final season in Nashville and had 206 points in 158 games over his last three seasons in Russia.
Radulov, 25, has one season remaining on his rookie entry level deal at $980,000, and that obligation will be fulfilled if he plays even one game for Predators. The other complaint about Radulov coming back this late in a season to burn his final year is that it sends a message that is possible to violate your contract and beat the system.
"Nobody else has been through this," Poile said. "We have. The NHL and KHL have made a deal after the fact. They aren't going to take anyone else's players. What about Radulov? Well, after Radulov. "
Despite Radulov walking out on the Predators, Poile has tried to stay in touch with him.
"I've seen him or met him at least once a year since he left, usually at the world championships," Poile said. "He is who he is. He made his decision. Of course I can't agree with his decision because he had a binding contract. I was disappointed that he was allowed to play. I never thought it would happen."
Poile said there will no issues with teammates, because only four players remain from Radulov's time with Nashville, and two, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, were his friends.
"I've talked to coaches and the leaders of our team and everyone is excited about the opportunity," Poile said.
Poile said he never entertained the idea that Radulov wouldn't be eligible to play because he is a suspended player, and the Predators have a contract with him. He won't put a deadline on Radulov's return.
"But I would prefer Thursday in San Jose," Poile said. "He is available now, the sooner the better."
