Predator’s GM David Poile was the subject of many interviews yesterday from the GM meetings in Florida, some questions about the team’s progress and standing in the conference, but most of the questions surrounded the potential return of Alexander Radulov. The quote heard most often in these interviews? “Cautiously optimistic.”
From David Poile, for whom understatement is a way of life, “cautiously optimistic” could be interpreted as … he’s coming! But in this case, it probably is wise to take the GM at his word. Quite a few hurdles have been cleared according to many sources, but the biggest one remains. Assuming he is healthy… Does Alexander Radulov WANT to come back?
Let’s look at this from a couple of different angles.
Why he may want to come back… Radulov has spent the last four years in the Kontinental Hockey League and could arguably be called the league’s biggest star. He is the league’s all-time assist leader and holds the league record for most points in a single KHL season. He won the MVP Award twice in four seasons and his Salavat Yulaev Ufa team won the Gagarin Cup, signifying the league champion last year. In other words, he has no more to prove in front of his home country, a strong argument to step up to the best league in the world. He has the possibility to work out his NHL entry level contract in an abbreviated timeframe and then be able to sign a larger contract as an RFA. He has maintained a condo in Nashville the entire time and his family continues to visit the area.
Why he may not want to come back… No one (except A-Rad) really knows the reason he left in the first place. Did he leave for the money? Love of country? Pressure from outside sources in Russia? Did he leave because of issues with the previous leadership group in Nashville? It has all been speculation. But let's address that speculation. Money shouldn’t be an issue in a return, if the KHL backs a truck up he may stay, but he will also make excellent bank in his next contract in the NHL… Issues with previous team leadership? That’s gone as well, there are only a few players left on the team from when Radulov was here, besides, Alex was good friends with the current captain and one of the alternate captains. Love of country or pressure from other sources inside the country? Can’t do a thing about that… but my personal opinion is that has very little to do with his decision.
Beware the Ides of March, an announcement may come tomorrow.
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A side note on the same subject… It is very interesting that some GM’s are being so open in their contempt for the Radulov situation, especially St. Louis’ GM Doug Armstrong’s “have his cake and eat it too” quote. Quite revealing...
Let’s put it this way… The Nashville franchise has been deprived of four years of service from a highly talented, game breaker type sniper. Four years that Nashville will get no compensation for. Four years that one could rightly argue, should be tacked on before Radulov could become an unrestricted free agent. It would be appropriate compensation for the damage done to Nashville. I don’t see anyone calling for that.
Full marks to David Poile for doing all the correct things from a paperwork perspective and keeping the door open for a potential return. Check Nashville’s clearing list for this season… what’s that? There’s a number 47 on the list making him playoff eligible. It would be wrong to not allow this to happen.
The situation is what it is… just like what happened when Radulov left for the KHL, and a few days later the loophole that allowed him to leave was closed, a very similar loophole allows him to return.
Call it poetic justice…
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Oh… and one other thing… for those stating that this sets a dangerous precedent… How? Radulov left five days before the two leagues agreed to honor each other’s contracts… By agreement between the NHL and KHL, this can’t happen again.
So much for dangerous precedents… I give the league and the NHLPA credit for doing the right thing in this situation.
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“A Long March” – Tracing the stretch run…
Points Available – 30
Points Gained So Far – 8 out of 10
3/03 – @ Florida – W 3-1
3/06 – Los Angeles – L 5-4
3/08 – Colorado – W 4-2
3/10 – Detroit – W 3-2
3/12 – @ Phoenix – W (SO) 5-4
3/15 – @ San Jose –
3/17 – @ Los Angeles –
3/18 - @ Anaheim –
3/20 – Edmonton –
3/22 - @ Pittsburgh –
3/24 – Winnipeg –
3/25 - @ Chicago –
3/27 - @ St. Louis –
3/30 - @ Detroit –
3/31 – Chicago –
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Random Notes…
- With 13 games remaining in the regular season, the Predators remain 5th in the Western Conference standings with 89 points, trailing conference leading St. Louis by nine points and Detroit by two points. The Predators lead Chicago by five points. Nashville has two games in hand over St. Louis and Chicago and one game in hand over Detroit.
- The Predators are ranked 5th in the weekly TSN.com rankings.
- Big win for the Blackhawks last night, it is a shame it went to overtime, giving St. Louis a point in the loss.
- Detroit’s road struggles continue, a bad loss to Los Angeles last night dropped their road record to 16-19-1. If they drop any further in the stands, their road record is the reason why.
- Congrats to Steven Stamkos on scoring his 50th last night.
- Ilya Bryzgalov is hotter than a three dollar pistol right now. Another shutout last night, his third in a row and fourth in his last five starts. Watch out for the Flyers…
Tonight’s Impact Games
Detroit @ Anaheim – The Red Wings road record dropped again with their loss to LA last night, tonight’s game is an very important one for the swooning Red Wings as this game will give the Predators two games in hand over Detroit. Anaheim is desperately trying to jump back into the playoff race, training the 78 point group by nine points.
SportsClubStats Update
Predators Playoff Chances – 99.98%
Highest % Potential First Round Playoff Opponent – St. Louis 8.8%, Detroit 84.1%
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