The New Jersey Devils may not have made a big splash in free agency - their most notable signing was Ben Lovejoy - but it wasn't for a lack of trying.
The Devils, who could still use some help on the right side to this day, were among the handful of teams interested in the services of Alex Radulov.
This was confirmed by Radulov himself.
More Radulov: '#Panthers and #Redwings were the most realistic options besides #Habs. Also I was in talks with #Devils'
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) August 15, 2016
Money is obviously important - I'm sure Montreal's one-year deal was worth as much or more than any other offer on the table - but it sounds like Radulov may have signed elsewhere if a team stepped up and gave him more than one year.
Alexander Radulov to @hockey_se: 'I wanted to sign a longer deal, but teams were telling me they don't want to risk, want to look at me'
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) August 15, 2016
I can understand pressing for a one-year deal considering how things ended in Nashville - and the fact he hasn't played a full NHL season since 2007-08 - but personally I'd have no problem giving him multiple years.
Every full season since 2009-10 Radulov has scored at least 20 goals and averaged more than a point per game. He returned to the Predators for a short stint during that time frame and recorded 13 points in 17 games (playoffs included).
He has consistently been one of the most productive players in Russia and I have no doubt he'll be a legitimate top-6 player at the NHL level.
If that proves to be true the Devils, along with a handful of other teams, will probably regret not giving him an extra year or two to get a deal done.