According to Russian Newspaper Izvestiya, via Dmitry Chesnokov, Alexander Radulov has made his decision and will return to Russia, and play for CSKA, next season.
Radulov’s agent cites the possible lockout as a main reason for why Radulov is going back to Russia.
His agent also says that the chance that NHL player won’t be in the Olympics also played a role in his decision to go back to Russia.
According to Larry Brooks in the NY Post, Alexander Radulov is likely heading back to the KHL and could sign a deal that makes him the highest paid hockey player in the world.
According to Cap Geek, Brad Richards and Tyler Myers had the highest salaries in the NHL this season at $12 million.
In terms of cap hits, Alex Ovechkin has the highest at $9.5 million.
Radulov has won the KHL MVP award three years in a row.
According to Josh Cooper in the Tennessean, via KK, Nashville GM David Poile says that if a team wants to acquire the rights to Alexander Radulov, they must move quickly.
Poile thinks that Radulov will sign with the KHL soon if he isn’t traded to another NHL team.
CLICK HERE for a section dedicated to Radulov.
CSKA has acquired #KHL rights to Radulov from Salavat Yulaev.
— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) June 13, 2012
It has been reported that CSKA was going to pay $8 million for the rights to acquire Radulov.
8:58AM: In the Edmonton Journal, Jim Matheson writes that if Radulov doesn’t go back to Russia, the Rangers are the best bet to acquire his rights.
He notes that the Rangers would likely send Brandon Dubinsky back to Nashville for Radulov unless the Preds want someone like Derek Stepan.
2:56AM: In the NY Post, Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers interest in Alexander Radulov is dependent upon how the organization sees his upside as compared to other players who could be available like Zach Parise.
Brooks writes that while the Rangers may still be deciding on Radulov, one other NHL team seems ready to pull the trigger on a deal for the rights to Radulov.
He notes that it does seem like Radulov would like to continue his career in the NHL and not in the KHL.
4:33PM: On the Rangers interest in Radulov, Darren Dreger writes at TSN, “I don’t believe that to be the case, or at least the interest New York may have, is far less than what has been suggested.”
9:40AM: Bob McKenzie tweets that the Rangers HAVE NOT traded for Alexander Radulov’s rights and that he isn’t convinced the Rangers have a high level of interest in him.
CLICK HERE for updates on the entire Radulov situation.
8:10AM: According to a Czech report, via nyrs_rangers, “the moon” is being offered to Alex Radulov in terms of bonus money from the KHL, but the report says that Radulov may prefer coming to the Rangers.
The agreement between Radulov and the Rangers is reportedly, “close.”
The Predators are willing to trade Radulov or let him return to Russia.
Radulov reportedly turned down an offer that would have been worth $10 million from the KHL.
I am hearing CSKA is hesitant to pull the trigger on acquiring Radulov from Salavat Yulaev because of the asking fee of about $8m.
— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) June 7, 2012
Joshua Cooper writes at The Tennessean that Predators GM David Poile will either trade the rights to Alexander Radulov or let him return to the KHL.
Poile told Cooper, “He is currently in negotiations in the KHL, but still leaving the window open to a possible return to the NHL. I have reached out to a few teams in the NHL to see whether there is any interest. If there is there’s the possibility we could trade his rights. But that’s where it stands today.”
At ESPN Insider, Craig Custance writes that the Rangers are likely to target three options to add to their scoring woes, Zach Parise, Rick Nash and Alexander Radulov.
On Parise, Custance writes, that adding him to play with Brad Richards would make the Rangers the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
Custance also notes that if the Rangers miss out on Parise, they could look to rekindle talks with Anaheim over Bobby Ryan.
On Radulov, Custance writes that most people believe that he will be traded and not return to the Predators. He adds that according to Radulov’s agent, Jay Grossman, Radulov plays a North American style game that he learned under Patrick Roy while playing in the QMJHL.
According to Sports-Express, via Pro Hockey Talk, CSKA Moscow wants to acquire the rights to Alexander Radulov so much that they are willing to part with $7.76 million to do so.
Radulov is an RFA in the NHL but is still under contract in the KHL for one more season.
